Contact tracing and sociological issues surrounding privacy and the privatization of health research and health care. The Role of Social Media in Contact Tracing

Privacy Issues of App-based Contact Tracing
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The Role of Social Media in Contact Tracing
The participation of social media outlets and several private companies in contact tracing may result in privacy issues because of possible violations against confidentiality. These companies are using personal and private information of users for information dissemination. This is considered a sociological concern relevant to the use of contact tracing apps. The advantages of using application-based contact tracing to be sponsored by Facebook, Google, and Amazon are very promising. Firstly, the speed of contact tracing will be better with the use of these apps. These apps can determine possible contact of individuals with those who have tested positive with COVID-19. Another advantage of using app-based contact tracers is the new workforce that these technologies can provide in contact tracing (Watson, 2020). It is, however, a fact that not everyone is willing to provide private information to these social media sites. Hence, this may be a problem in terms of contact tracing, wherein this process mainly requires personal information to make it successful. Public health authorities will always bear in mind the confidential nature of these personal details (Ivers, 2020).
Watson (2020) has also pointed out the importance of collecting personal data to provide public health services, including but not limited to, instructions for SARS-CoV-2 testing, home quarantine, and surveillance of possible asymptomatic transmission. Knowing that not everyone is in favor of providing personal information to these private companies considering their reputations for using personal details to keep advertisements and other social media activities going, it is imperative to ensure public trust. Ivers (2020) emphasizes the importance of public trust by maintaining appropriate privacy. These collected data should only be within the bounds of public health. These companies should handle private details ethically and only within the ...