COVIDSafe App, a car crash?
The COVIDSafe app has been launched and there is considerable debate; will it be safe, can we trust how our data will be used, has it been rushed? These are all valid questions and should be asked but I am saddened by some of the debate.
Whilst it is important to critically think through the implications, many commentators have the advantage of their own good health and well-being as they critique this bold move.
Imagine the scenario, you are driving down a remote country road, hours from any civilisation and no mobile phone reception. As you crest the horizon, you see a horrific accident, there are people lying in the road, you have no medical training, you have limited resources and no experience of this situation. Do you:
Keep driving,
Take photos or,
Stop and help.
You, like 99% of the population, would stop and try and help with good intention. You would, of course, question yourself as you make that stop; what if you make the situation worse, what if you do the wrong thing, what if you make a mistake, what if someone dies?
Now imagine if you are a victim at that accident - you would want help, no matter what help. If the intention is genuine, you will take that help and the risks associated. You, like so many of us believe, that other humans are intrinsically good people.
Right now, this is the stark choice the Australian Government is facing. Mistakes might be made but they (like you at the accident) are duty-bound to help. The time-consuming nature of contact tracing is fraught with risk and we must do everything we can to reduce harm faced by COVID-19.
As someone who has spent a considerable amount of time working across the digital privacy, data domain, combined with seeing the good, bad and ugly of many digital projects, I know the risks and even where mistakes will be made. I also know that Australia has the legal protections and the ability to hold project failure to account if mistakes are made with the COVIDsafe app.
The question faced at this extraordinary time is the willingness to potentially sacrifice personal privacy to help complete strangers to enable Australia to minimise harm. Whatever your political view, you’ll agree that any government knows this app would be met with cynicism, but they are doing it regardless. Just like the accident scenario above, the use of the app is completely voluntary - you do not have to do this.
Just like the accident scenario above, you might walk away with the desire to be better prepared, such as becoming first aid trained. Helping at an accident is not something you had ever imagined but now you know what is needed. The Australian Government finds itself in the same situation, it too wishes it was better prepared. In time, we will all learn some valuable lessons but right now, we all need some first aid to improve the odds of survival.
So yes, I have downloaded the COVIDsafe app along with my family. I encourage you to do the same.