Digital tools against COVID-19: Framing the ethical challenges and how\n to address them

Abstract

Data collection and processing via digital public health technologies are\nbeing promoted worldwide by governments and private companies as strategic\nremedies for mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic and loosening lockdown measures.\nHowever, the ethical and legal boundaries of deploying digital tools for\ndisease surveillance and control purposes are unclear, and a rapidly evolving\ndebate has emerged globally around the promises and risks of mobilizing digital\ntools for public health. To help scientists and policymakers navigate\ntechnological and ethical uncertainty, we present a typology of the primary\ndigital public health applications currently in use. Namely: proximity and\ncontact tracing, symptom monitoring, quarantine control, and flow modeling. For\neach, we discuss context-specific risks, cross-sectional issues, and ethical\nconcerns. Finally, in recognition of the need for practical guidance, we\npropose a navigation aid for policymakers made up of ten steps for the ethical\nuse of digital public health tools.\n