PC Magazine - USA (2020-12)

Is Contact Tracing Doomed in

the US? BY CHRISTOPHER SMITH

H

ealthcare workers and state and local governments are on the front

lines of the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen a resurgence around

the globe as we head into the winter months. But as the CDC notes,

contact tracing is key to slowing the disease’s spread. Can Americans look past a

distrust of big tech and the government to make contact tracing in the US

H̆HFWLYH"

Public perception is a major hurdle. A June survey from Avira found that 71

percent of Americans had no plans to download contact-tracing apps. “Of those

who said they would not use the apps, the main reason was concerns that the

technology won’t protect people’s digital privacy,” the company found.

More people distrust the government than big tech, however: “32% said they

would trust technology by Google/Apple to keep their data secure and private.

Just 14% said the same for contact tracing apps provided directly from the

government,” according to Avira.

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Photo credit: Photo By Bill Clar

k/CQ

-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Im

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