Smartphones to Track COVID Carriers?

Interview Phil Crowley.

Philip P. Crowley, is a dedicated attorney who has been handling legal matters for pharmaceutical, biomedical, medical devices, information technology and other technology companies for over 30 years. He has also spent nearly 25 years on the board of trustees of the Stevens Institute of Technology, with substantial involvement in the oversight of academic innovation and entrepreneurship.

 

Talking Points from Phil Crowley
on the Legalities and Inplications for COVID Tracking:

Contact tracing can allow us to track positive cases of viruses such as COVID-19 in hope of slowing the spread of the disease. Last month Apple and Google partnered on COVID-19 contact tracing technology. As world governments and health authorities work hard to combat COVID-19 both in terms of health and the economy, technology companies are trying to also help in creating software that could help control the spread of the virus and save lives. This could be accomplished by using contact tracing as a tool whereby data would be accessible to governments and health agencies.

Legal Questions Can Help to Guide Us

Is this another chapter in the takeover by “Big Brother?” There are many questions that need to be explored and vetted:

Can Apple & Google mandate
that people use the app?

Apple & Google have announced the feature as “opt in.” Can’t be mandated under current US law, but that leaves open what would happen in other countries. 

other concerns Around COVID Tracking

            Quality control. Will it work? if it does, it could provide tremendous public health benefits—perhaps saving countless lives. But are the tradeoffs worth the costs?

            Privacy. How can users be certain their information won’t be used inappropriately?

            Security. With the skill of hackers, robust protection schemes will be needed and updated regularly. What will be the remedies for breach?

            Standards. Who will set the standards for data protection? Do we need Federal legislation to cover issues nationwide?

            Emergency powers. In this or a future pandemic, could the Federal, State or local government mandate use of the app? What might that look like? 

More Questions That Can Be Explored 

What effect would it have on society? Would it exacerbate the “digital divide” between haves and have nots? What would happen if you couldn’t leave the house without an “approved, validated” app?

 

Available for Interviews: Phil Crowley.

Philip P. Crowley is an attorney for over 30 years who is passionate about helping grow technology companies seize opportunities and avoid expensive legal mistakes as they make ideas come to fruition. Mr. Crowley has also spent nearly 25 years on the board of trustees of the Stevens Institute of Technology, with substantial involvement in the oversight of academic innovation and entrepreneurship. He is the Managing Partner at the Law Office of Philip P. Crowley, LLC. Visit Phil Crowley on the web at www.CrowleyLawLLC.com


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