Just read @MattHancock announcement re deployment of the digital tracing app @LeoKelion https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-52263244 - some thoughts: (THREAD)

1. Contact tracing can work as part of much bigger puzzle. It is key we get it right as how we do this now, the standards we choose, will define how we deal with data later. People are right to be concerned by the impact of this huge data collection, and the companies involved.

2. I think we should go all the way, and with the highest possible standards and governance. Key Q is: how do we act rapidly AND introduce the safeguards we need? Parliament role is key here - scrutiny, oversight, constant review, and transparency.

3. Does anyone agree that making it voluntary is not enough? Would it be really voluntary if - am speculating - people need to download to resume normal life? or enter a shop? Wouldn't it better to get the best governance through serious parliament scrutiny & make it mandatory?

4. I think a system like contact tracing needs to be based on facts and not symptoms. Users should self-report ONLY when they receive the response from a testing facilities. Not doing so is risky and would also make it open to fake reporting.

5. Testing remains key: what about all the asymptomatic carriers? Evidence show they are the majority. So perhaps (part of) the solution is ramp up testing plus solidly governed digital contact tracing?

6. There is absolutely no doubt that contact tracing will have a huge impact on privacy (and much beyond privacy to be honest), and this is why I think it cannot be left to experts, companies, lawyers etc alone. Rule of democracy are key through parliamentary scrutiny.

7. This is a collective endeavour which needs to be properly framed and governed. I think it can & must be done as contact tracing can help. Good governance is key as we must also avoid the data machinery we collect today to be used for something else later. FIN.