As countries begin to lift lockdowns from COVID-19, they are relying on contact tracing apps to identify and break the transmission chain of the disease. While some Asian countries have implemented their contact tracing apps with strict surveillance measures, Europe and the U.S. are scrambling to build apps with privacy in mind. Countries are working with app developers and technology companies to develop contact tracing in hopes they can contain the transmission of COVID-19. While more privacy... Read More

In a sign of the dangerous time we're living in and as most of the U.S. self-quarantines to protect health during the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Senate Committee on Science, Commerce and Transportation held an unusual "paper hearing" on how to responsibly employ big data to combat spread of the virus. Witnesses submitted testimony to the committee, and now will have a "96-business-hour turnaround time to answer member questions," which will be made public via the Senate committee's website.  "... Read More

As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the country, the Peruvian government has implemented stronger policies and strategies that are aligned with measures that have proven to be effective around the world. These strategies now include the temporary collection and treatment of the population’s personal data, specifically, the geolocation data of those infected with COVID-19 as a way to track their movements and identify possible contagion hot spots. This article takes a look at the three mos... Read More

As countries begin to lift lockdowns from COVID-19, they are relying on contact tracing apps to identify and break the transmission chain of the disease. While some Asian countries have implemented their contact tracing apps with strict surveillance measures, Europe and the U.S. are scrambling to build apps with privacy in mind. Countries are working with app developers and technology companies to develop contact tracing in hopes they can contain the transmission of COVID-19. While more privacy... Read More

In a sign of the dangerous time we're living in and as most of the U.S. self-quarantines to protect health during the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Senate Committee on Science, Commerce and Transportation held an unusual "paper hearing" on how to responsibly employ big data to combat spread of the virus. Witnesses submitted testimony to the committee, and now will have a "96-business-hour turnaround time to answer member questions," which will be made public via the Senate committee's website.  "... Read More

Apple and Google debuted tools that could track if someone comes into contact with a person infected with COVID-19, The Washington Post reports. The companies say their smartphones could communicate through Bluetooth technology and a contact tracing app that senses nearby devices. When an app user indicates they’ve been infected, it would notify those with smartphones in the vicinity. Apps could be developed as soon as mid-May.Full Story... Read More

The Washington Post reports some privacy advocates are in favor of the U.S. using cellphone or location data to track the COVID-19 pandemic so long as it is done appropriately. Advocates are seeking assurance on basic safeguards and the potential for user opt-ins to allow government access. "There’s no reason to have to throw out our principles like privacy and consent to do this," Electronic Frontier Foundation Distinguished Technology Fellow Peter Eckersley said. Meanwhile, the U.K. is develop... Read More

U.S. Department of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration J. Russell George said in a report law enforcement agencies may be using cellphone GPS data from mobile applications illegally, The Wall Street Journal reports. George found the results of the Carpenter v. United States case could prohibit the use of using such data without a warrant and called for stricter controls around the information. The review was conducted following an audit request from Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and... Read More

Recently, the office of the Los Angeles City Attorney, Mike Feuer, filed a complaint against The Weather Channel Product and Technology, LLC (TWC)—the company owned by IBM and behind the popular Weather Channel mobile application. Feuer stated: “[W]e allege TWC elevates corporate profits over users’ privacy, misleading them into allowing their movements to be tracked, 24/7. We’re acting to stop this alleged deceit.” This action may encourage state attorneys general across the country to conside... Read More

France’s data protection authority, the CNIL, has warned Singlespot to properly gather consent for the collection of geolocation data or else it could face potential regulatory actions. The CNIL found Singlespot obtained users’ geolocation data from their smartphones in order to send targeted ads. An investigation determined the company never asked for consent when it collected the geolocation data, nor did it have a defined data-retention period. The president of the CNIL has given Singlespot t... Read More

France’s data protection authority, the CNIL, has warned Singlespot to properly gather consent for the collection of geolocation data or else it could face potential regulatory actions. The CNIL found Singlespot obtained users’ geolocation data from their smartphones in order to send targeted ads. An investigation determined the company never asked for consent when it collected the geolocation data, nor did it have a defined data-retention period. The president of the CNIL has given Singlespot t... Read More