New BCS study supports Coronavirus tracing app - if privacy measures convince the public

1 May 2020 11:04 AM

The implementation of an app that traces Coronavirus contacts is necessary but must overcome “perceived Big Brother elements” to ensure the public get on board, a new report from BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT has found.

The proposed NHS contact tracing app will alert smartphone users if they are in - or have been - in close contact to someone who has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

The Chartered Institute for IT has today published its new policy position paper drawing on its members’ experience, which backs the technology, alongside extensive testing and a strong communications campaign to increase public confidence in the technical and ethical aspects of the app.

Kathy Farndon, Vice President, BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT said: “The biggest threat to the success of the contact-tracing app is that perceived ‘Big Brother’ elements of the implementation, for example the use of a centralised database, may have a negative effect on uptake from the public and minimise the chance of reaching the 60% uptake implementation target. BCS considers that a sustained campaign to increase public confidence in IT, supported by assurances of real safeguards, open and ethical data governance and protection by design is fundamental.

“Contact tracing apps must be founded on ‘privacy by design, privacy by default’ principles and Government must set a high bar for transparent and ethical data governance as its future legitimacy and trust with public data is at stake.”

She continues: “It is vital that the impacts of a contact tracing app - as part of the UK’s response to COVID-19 - are considered in terms of the key challenges it presents such as data protection, privacy, public trust and civil liberties.”

BCS makes several recommendations that the government, public health authorities and developers should consider when developing contact-tracing apps including:

• Facilitate mass levels of COVID-19 testing to work in tandem with the contact tracing app, “you cannot ‘big data’ your way out of a ‘no data’ situation”
• Engage and work strategically across the UK’s devolved administrations, with civil society to develop and implement a wide-ranging, inclusive communication programme regarding app installation and use, including guidelines on what is needed for maximum compliance and how the public can appropriately seek recourse
• Ensure minimum interference with people’s personal ‘data’ lives and that data isn’t sold or shared beyond its intended stated purpose

Read the full report (PDF)