Countries across the global rushed to develop coronavirus-tracking software for a variety of purposes, including assessing compliance with lockdowns, notifying people of possible coronavirus exposure or enforcing government quarantine orders. 

Governments are facing serious complaints over extensive user data-mining and poor security practices. Human rights groups and technologists warned that the design of many apps put hundreds of millions of people at risk for stalking, scams, identity theft or excessive government tracking. Recent analysis identifies security flaws leaving users’ details easily accessible to hackers.  

These concerns could ultimately undermine trust and participation in public health efforts.  

Despite these privacy concerns, countries like Singapore, intend to deploy even more intrusive technologies, including asking hundreds of thousands of migrant workers to wear virus-tracking wristbands around the clock. 
 

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