Digital Contact Tracing Technology: Overview and Considerations for Implementation

"Digital Contact Tracing Technology: Overview and Considerations for Implementation

Background

 “Contact tracing” is a public health measure used to control disease spread. Trained public health workers assist patients with an infectious disease recall their close contacts within a given timeframe, notify them of potential exposure, and provide advice to patients and contacts. Given the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic, some public health authorities are automating part of the tracing process with smartphone applications (apps). Some apps take advantage of Bluetooth signals to track individuals proximity to one another, otherwise known as “digital exposure notification (DEN)” Bluetooth allows short-range wireless communications between electronic devices. Apps may also be used by public health authorities to enable “digital contact tracing” (DCT), which may also use location data.

 Development of DCT and DEN Apps in the United States

 In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, several countries have developed nationwide apps to support contact tracing among their citizens. Singapore developed and adopted both the BlueTrace protocol and TraceTogether app. Although the app is used only in Singapore, its Government Technology Agency has made the BlueTrace protocol available to other countries; Australia has adopted the protocol for its app. South Korea, Bulgaria, Iceland, Germany, and France are among the countries that have released or are developing nationwide apps.

The United States has taken a decentralized approach, with states engaging the private sector to develop tracing tools. North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah have independently deployed DCT apps using both location data and Bluetooth signals. Companies such as PricewaterhouseCoopers and Salesforce are developing apps to allow corporate clients to track the proximity of their employees within an office or on a campus. In both contexts, if a citizen or employee tests positive for COVID-19, other individuals who may be at risk can be identified and contacted. The possibility of widespread, and perhaps mandatory, monitoring, whether by the public or private sector, has drawn scrutiny from privacy advocates..."
Digital contact tracing