Contact tracing apps and values dilemmas: A privacy paradox in a neo-liberal world. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rowe, Frantz
• Is Part Of: International journal of information management. Volume 55(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Contact tracing apps -- Privacy paradox -- Freedom of movement -- Technology of the self -- Health; Social sciences -- Information services -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Information science -- Periodicals; Management information systems -- Periodicals; Knowledge management -- Periodicals; Sciences sociales -- Documentation, Services de -- Périodiques; Sciences sociales -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Sciences de l'information -- Périodiques; Systèmes d'information de gestion -- Périodiques; Information science; Management information systems; Social sciences -- Information services; Social sciences -- Research; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 025.52068
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2020.102178
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0268-4012

Abstract

Highlights: Contact tracing as an extreme case of the privacy paradox: which values? Present benefits: freedom of movement, not morally responsible. Future risks: privacy, habituation to security policies and health. In crisis situations, contact tracing apps contribute to self-disciplining. French government plays on the paradox and downplays long term concerns. Abstract: Contact tracing apps are presented as a solution, if not the solution, to curb pandemics in the Covid-19 crisis. In France, despite heated public institutional debate on privacy related issues, the app was presented by government as an essential benefit for protecting health and lives, thus avoiding both politicians and citizens to feel morally responsible and looking guilty, and as essential to recover our freedom to move. However we argue that, while detection of cases have still not been reported after 10 days and one million app downloads - a situation comparable to Australia who launched its app a month before -, the adoption of the app generates important risks to our informational privacy, surveillance and habituation to security policies. It also may create discrimination, distrust and generate other health problems such as addiction and others as 5G technology continues to be deployed without prior impact studies. Finally the smartphone app against covid epidemics appears as an extreme case of the privacy paradox where the government plays on the immediate benefits and downplays long-term concerns while inducing a technology of self. Contact tracing apps may become an emblematic case for digital transformation and value changes in the western world.