Photo by Whitehorse Star
Diane McLeod-McKay
Privacy commissioners voice concerns about contact tracing
Diane McLeod-McKay, the Yukon Information and Privacy Commissioner, has joined with her colleagues across the country to issue a statement on “extraordinary” government plans for COVID-19 contact tracing.
Diane McLeod-McKay, the Yukon Information and Privacy Commissioner, has joined with her colleagues across the country to issue a statement on “extraordinary” government plans for COVID-19 contact tracing.
One of the measures currently being contemplated – or already being used in some jurisdictions in Canada and around the world – is the launch of smart phone apps. The idea is to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Many of the apps are aimed at locating people who have been near someone who is, or may be, a carrier of COVID-19, as well as to notify those people.
Commissioners have issued a common statement to Canadians because these apps raise important privacy risks, they say.
“Because of the urgency of limiting the spread of the virus, we are seeing governments contemplate extraordinary measures that have not been undertaken previously,”McLeod-McKay said.
“In some cases, these measures will have significant implications for privacy and other rights that are fundamental to Canadians. Through this joint statement, I and other privacy commissioners across the country are encouraging governments to follow a number of key principles if they decide to use technology in this way.
“The choices that our governments make are important not just for today, but will also shape the future of our country, ” she added.
The statement outlines a number of principles that governments should use if they implement contact tracing applications.
For example, the commissioners recommend that the use of the apps must be voluntary and based on specific and meaningful consent for all the public health purposes intended.
As well, there should be a high level of government transparency and accountability, in order to build public trust.
Amongst other things, the statement also recommends that:
• appropriate security safeguards are put in place;
• there should be third-party oversight of the contact tracing measures; and
• if the measures are not effective, they should be discontinued and any personal information should be destroyed.
The Ombudsman, Information and Privacy Commissioner, and Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner is an independent officer of the Yukon Legislative Assembly.
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Comments (13)
Up 8 Down 2
Justin on May 13, 2020 at 7:07 am
Hello folks,
I’ve been following the development of these apps, and contact tracing in general, with a rather skeptical eye. And I have been wondering about a few things. Now that even the WHO, is backing off on the rhetoric about this “pandemic”. Why are certain countries, like ours, doubling down on enforcement of their misguided agenda?
Last night, I received yet another link to a video ( yes, i know, stay in school, get a life, and other comments I am bound to read. Please feel free to express your feelings in any way you deem appropriate ). However, in the video, it explains a few things that are, and should be, very disturbing. Enough that a friend from the law enforcement community recommended me to watch it.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yXRCKptw3KU&feature=youtu.be
Thank you all for your time in considering this submitted comment. Take care, get outside, enjoy some warmer weather, and don’t let false fear hold you back. Remember, the government works for we, the people, not the other way around.
Up 13 Down 3
Bob on May 12, 2020 at 5:45 am
Dave - Take your cell phone with you in case you have a emergency that requires you to call someone. Just remove your battery & carry the cell phone & battery separately. In this way the cell towers won't be able to ping & track you.
Up 14 Down 5
DMZ on May 11, 2020 at 11:58 am
With cell phone coverage as it is in the Yukon, this would have a pretty limited scope, wouldn't it? It would be foolish to be relying on this kind of program. Apart from that, there is no way I'm trusting the Yukon government and health with something like this.
Up 11 Down 5
YukonMax on May 11, 2020 at 7:24 am
Just hang out in Faro. No cell coverage over half the town site.
Up 9 Down 9
Still Digesting on May 9, 2020 at 1:59 am
Okay so they can ping you now to rescue you if need be. So what is the difference if the intent of both programs are meant to save lives. I like Doug Tutty's post and ideas.
Up 28 Down 10
You Got To Be Kidding Me! on May 9, 2020 at 12:13 am
Anybody who even thinks about supporting this idea cannot be trusted. WTF are you people thinking?
Up 35 Down 6
Bob Folster on May 8, 2020 at 4:07 pm
Can't afford a cell phone.
Will I be tossed in jail for not owning one ?
Up 26 Down 6
Groucho d'North on May 8, 2020 at 2:21 pm
Is the service provider's equipment up to the task? With our limited coverage for cell phones- is it worth all the trouble?
Up 41 Down 19
Dave on May 8, 2020 at 12:20 pm
The federal and territorial governments have already used this event as an excuse to give themselves seemingly unlimited, unchecked and unconstitutional powers. I will not consent to having my movements tracked, my cell phone will simply be left at home before I let it become yet another tool for government to use in god knows what way. Is anyone else as concerned as I am about the powers the Liberal governments have simply given themselves in the last two months?
Up 47 Down 18
Yukon Cornelius on May 8, 2020 at 10:31 am
"As well, there should be a high level of government transparency and accountability, in order to build public trust.", said Diane Double-Name
Good luck achieving that with this Liberal Yukon Government.
Up 13 Down 29
Still Digesting on May 8, 2020 at 3:58 am
It says that your name and address are not divulged or used. How does the app refer to you specifically? (Red blip #21) This has to tie to your name somewhere because if you violate protocol the Covid cops will want to speak with you.
I am however in favor of any tool that will help battle this pandemic and saves lives even if it means trusting the man which is never a good idea.
Up 3 Down 30
JC on May 7, 2020 at 8:51 pm
Sounds like a plan to me!
Up 13 Down 18
Doug Tutty on May 7, 2020 at 5:50 pm
Why does there need to be any central storage of people's movements anyway? If each app is self-contained with its own random ID (not linked to phone number, cell phone ID, or anything else identifiable), then it simply compiles a list of other app IDs is finds via bluetooth (therefore not storing personal data at all). Then, when anyone is directed by health authorities to activate "contact trace" from such-and-such a date, the app posts its ID to a publicly-viewable list (still no personal information). Each app would also, regularly (e.g. hourly) check for its own ID on that public list. If it finds it, it lets the user know with a pop-up message. The user then contacts public health. At this point, there's no linkage to a person. Consideration could be given to sharing with public health the app ID of the person who is instructed to activate the contact tracing feature, and that of people who are then notified that they are a contact, so that public health can do more formal contact tracing and follow-up.