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NOVID, Universities, Privacy, Tracking Apps

lucypei

This CMU-led initiative tries to be ethical by taking privacy seriously in the sense of making users anonymous. Yet you have to allow the app permission to run constantly on your phone and access your mic. The app polices your violation of social distancing with another app user - if you come within 6 feet of someone who reports that they have tested positively for COVID-19, you will be alerted. It is important to know you have been exposed. What are the tradeoffs that come with doing it this way? 

NextWebRoundup

lucypei
  • Misinformation: Platforms (Facebook, Google, Instagram, Twitter, Apple App Store and Google Play app store): trying to curb misinformation and directing towards government sources of information.  Facebook giving WHO free ad space.
  • "Matching" Donations: Google and Facebook pledge 7.5 and 20 million in matched donations respectively, to WHO
  • Addressing price-gouging, [I'll need to look into this more] - Amazon
  • At the beginning, tech companies led the work-from-home before it became mandated, and voluntarily closing stores was also protrayed as CSR
  • App-supported delivery services adding non-contact options seems portrayed as social responsibility