Thread by @internetfreedom

In Part 2 of our explainer series on key themes of IFF’s Working Paper on COVID-19, tech and informational privacy, we breakdown the paper’s analysis of @Apple and @Google ’s announced partnership on contact tracing. 1/12

internetfreedom.in/part-2-of-work…

Unlike the @SetuAarogya app this project will establish contact between two phones/devices using Bluetooth only (no GPS). It only intends to work with only public health authorities and not law enforcement authorities which is consistent with other govt positions. 2/12

The partnership a soft declaration that the systems will be disabled after the COVID-19 pandemic is over although concerns of a permanent system of data analysis owned, operated and managed by private sector actors subsist.

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From a transparency standpoint, unlike the Indian Government the partnership has published specifications for the projects Bluetooth, cryptography and API framework.

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apple.com/covid19/contac…

The project, to be deployed in 2 phases (Phase 1 starts in May), gives more control to people over their data than @SetuAarogya , where data will only be shared with health authorities, based on the user’s own decision to share data with consent, after a +ve medical test. 5/12

However, our working paper articulates the following areas where there are potential risks and therefore need for expedited dialogue on aspects such as:

✅ Risk of permanent systems of private sector surveillance (see surveillance capitalism risk)

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✅ How can these private actors hold governments accountable and ensure data collected is not shared outside health departments?
✅ Issue with competition, conflicts of interest and concentration of data within big tech

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✅Whether purely corporate structures should allowed to administer, maintain and operate crucial public digital infrastructure like contact tracing systems

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For comparison please read here our first explainer of the working paper which was on India’s @SetuAarogya app

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internetfreedom.in/is-aarogya-set…

Additionally please see here the current iteration of IFF’s Working Paper. A google docs version is also available at internetfreedom.in Please feel free to provide us feedback as per instructions which have been provided.

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drive.google.com/file/d/1UK5rEl…

Please also feel free to add to the conversation on this and any technology policy and regulatory conversations at our Internet Freedom Forum.
forum.internetfreedom.in

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Given the exigencies of the crisis, we would really appreciate the support. Help us fight the good fight against risks of permanent surveillance by donating to IFF

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internetfreedom.in/donate/