As the world searches for a resolution to the COVID-19 outbreak, many of the avenues being pursued to stop the spread of the illness approach the line between what is necessary and what could be a privacy violation.
As the world searches for a resolution to the COVID-19 outbreak, many of the avenues being pursued to stop the spread of the illness approach the line between what is necessary and what could be a privacy violation. Location tracking, family history, and medical data are all up for grabs as new technologies are developed to help control the virus.
As CIO Dive says, “The coronavirus pandemic is creating a gray area between helping the greater good and loosening data privacy expectations. If consumers are giving up privacy rights to aid in relief, industries need to ensure collected data will only be used for the explicitly stated purpose; in this case, coronavirus response. ”
Companies that rely on consumer data (such as advertising agencies) are encouraged to be extremely transparent during this time so that doctors can be as knowledgeable as possible as they look for solutions.
“While companies still have to comply with the CCPA or HIPAA, the pandemic is testing the boundaries of privacy. Even though the U.S. is facing an unprecedented time, all data privacy regulations won’t be dismantled. Companies can face legal woes for unfair or deceptive practices,” states CIO Dive.
For more details on the privacy concerns surrounding the coronavirus outbreak, click here.
