Read on Twitter
A 
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="đ§”" title="Thread" aria-label="Emoji: Thread"> on my thoughts about the Canadian Covid-19 app
Some people have been asking me whether I plan to use the Canadian Covid-19 app, which was released July 31 to the Apple ( https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/covid-alert/id1520284227)">https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/co... and Google ( https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ca.gc.hcsc.canada.covid19&hl=en_CA)">https://play.google.com/store/app... app stores.
I have installed the app.
I have installed the app.
From a technical level, Iâm optimistic that the apps have been developed to be as privacy protecting as possible. Any errors that do existâIâm sure some will be foundâwonât be malicious by design & I expect rapid testing & patching.
Adopting the model created by Google and Apple means the Canadian app is about as privacy protective as possible.
Almost all data is *stored locally* & individuals are empowered to act on, or delete, their data. We have to trust one another & thatâs a good public health model
Almost all data is *stored locally* & individuals are empowered to act on, or delete, their data. We have to trust one another & thatâs a good public health model
So privacy concerns linked purely to the technical design of the app are pretty well covered off.
But there are still some privacy and significant equity issues with the app. Lemme explain.
But there are still some privacy and significant equity issues with the app. Lemme explain.
1) Neither the feds or Ontario have passed law barring government (e.g.: cops) or private orgs (e.g.: employers) from demanding access to your app + status. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="đ" title="Nachdenkliches Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Nachdenkliches Gesicht">
2) We know that BIPOC + elderly communities are more likely to be affected by Covid *and* are less able to purchase newer devices. So, those who may find the most utility in covid apps are least likely to have the option to use them https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="đŠ" title="Stirnrunzelndes Gesicht mit offenem Mund" aria-label="Emoji: Stirnrunzelndes Gesicht mit offenem Mund">
3) These issues have been well known for a long time. Per @RyersonU report, we know that 74% of households earning under $20K have a smartphone, & about the same for persons 60 or older. When the gov& #39;t says 80-90% of smartphones can use the app, thatâs missing a lot of people https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="đ" title="EnttĂ€uschtes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: EnttĂ€uschtes Gesicht">
(That @RyersonU report, published by @cyberpolicyx @Cybersecure_CA is available at: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e9ce713321491043ea045ef/t/5edbca7474da2f6b548a6ca6/1591462523019/The+Race+to+Trace.pdf)">https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e...
Implications? Risks of âcovid-checksâ where cops use pretence of checking your app to subsequently search your smartphone. Risks of those most affected by Covid not have an option of using a digital tool to notify them of exposure.
Whatâs worse? If the government had a better comms strategy & inclusive policy approach, these issues might not exist. Canadians might know whether government models say we donât need to deploy the app in all communities (though, if so those models should made public)
Maybe the government has criteria & a rollout program, and will be offering phones to individuals who canât afford newer ones. Maybe theyâre still sorting things out. Either way, clearer communication is needed to build trust and understanding with Canadians.
What should have been a clean rollout of a digital tool has been marred by poorly explained policies & lack of laws barring inappropriate access to Covid apps. That sucks in terms of tarnishing the work done by the appâs developers, & teams that assessed its security.
Weâre not 1 or 2 or 3 months into the pandemic. Government should be able to walk & chew gum at the same time, and in the case of the Covid app just havenât. Itâs disappointing and speaks to the need for inclusive policy making, and better public messaging.
In summary.
* The technical elements of the apps are privacy-protective.
* There are laws/policies needing to be passed.
* Inclusive policy design and rollout is desperately needed.
* The technical elements of the apps are privacy-protective.
* There are laws/policies needing to be passed.
* Inclusive policy design and rollout is desperately needed.
We canât keep excluding the least advantaged members of society: itâs wrong and counter productive. These failures are examples of structural inequities and systemic racism. We *MUST* correct inequities linked with the pandemic and policy development more generally.
