S.T.O.P. Whitepaper Raises Concerns Over Apple, Google Bluetooth Contact Tracing for COVID-19

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S.T.O.P. Warns Bluetooth protocol unlikely to help fight against COVID19, but may exacerbate health inequalities, reinforce bias, and undermine rights

View this email in your browser For Immediate Release S.T.O.P. Whitepaper Raises Concerns Over Apple, Google Bluetooth Contact Tracing for COVID-19 Warns Bluetooth protocol unlikely to help fight COVID-19, but may exacerbate health inequalities, reinforce bias, and undermine civil rights [NEW YORK, NY, 5/7/2020] -- Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy group, released its whitepaper Beware: Bluetooth Ahead, detailing concerns with Apple and Google’s Exposure Notification System, a Bluetooth-based contact tracing program to monitor the spread of COVID-19. The report warns that the expansion of Bluetooth contact tracing is unlikely to provide any public health benefits, noting the failure of similar schemes in Singapore. The Group also warned Bluetooth tracking may exacerbate health inequalities, reinforce bias, and undermine civil rights. SEE: Beware: Bluetooth Ahead Report https://www.stopspying.org/bluetooth   Tracking coronavirus with smartphones isn't just a tech problem https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/04/17/opinion/tracking-coronavirus-with-smartphones-isnt-just-tech-problem/   “We have no evidence that Bluetooth contact tracing will be anything more than a dangerous distraction from evidence-based public health measures,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. “While it’s unclear if Bluetooth tracking will help fight COVID-19, there’s ample reason to believe this system will exacerbate health inequalities, reinforce bias, and undermine civil rights. Apple and Google’s privacy promises are not enough. These companies are creating a foundational technology, but others can build invasive tools on that foundation. If only a small subset of the public signs up for these apps, most transmissions will go completely undetected, and tracing data will remain a dystopian novelty. Even worse, there are no safeguards to stop many workplaces, schools, and transit providers from making ‘opting-in’ to these apps the price of keeping your job, attending your school, or taking part in public life.” The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider hosted by the Urban Justice Center. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color.   - END – CONTACT: S.T.O.P. Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn;   Copyright © 2020 Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.