Big Brother And The Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has caused untold global chaos, forced rapid digital transformation on businesses and distanced us all from colleagues, clients, friends and family. Governments have been endeavouring to manage supplies of medical equipment, produce "exit strategies" and manage the economic impact, whilst balancing their national focus with their international obligations.

One aspect of the response has been the development of apps. These might be used to collect information about the spread of the disease (including via contact tracing), as a way of communicating information on symptoms, the number of cases and to identify "at risk" groups, or to monitor quarantine measures. The data could be used to inform policy around "de-escalating" lockdown measures and to ensure precious resources are allocated to "hot spots" in an evidence-based manner.