Big Brother Knows that you are infected: wearable devices to track potential COVID-19 infections. Issue 2 (3rd July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Raposo, Vera Lúcia
• Is Part Of: Law, innovation and technology. Volume 13:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 422
• Page End: 438
• Publication Date: 2021-07-03
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- wearable devices -- mandatory testing -- public health surveillance -- self-determination -- privacy; Technological innovations -- Law and legislation -- Periodicals; Intellectual property -- Periodicals; 338.064
• DOI: 10.1080/17579961.2021.1977214
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-997X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, technology has been widely deployed to deter the spread of the virus. One such technology is wearable devices that can collect health data and inform health authorities about potential infections. Despite the laudable purposes of this technology, we might be on the verge of another digital Big Brother. This is not a case in which our moves are being watched, but our bodies are, in an extreme form of public health surveillance. This paper analyses the use of wearable devices to track potential COVID-19 infections within the framework of public health and related individual and state duties. The paper focuses on the threats that these devices may pose to individual rights and liberties, particularly self-determination (the freedom to not be tested for infectious diseases) and privacy (the protection of private data).