Leaving via the Digital Marketplace?
In a bid to open up an informed and public dialogue on the technical considerations and societal implications of using technology to transition from the COVID-19 crisis, a rapid evidence review has been conducted in the UK. The focus of this review is on three technologies: digital contact tracing, symptom tracking apps, and immunity certification.
The review's key recommendations underscore the need for robust accountability mechanisms, primary legislation for data processing, and enhanced digital engagement integrated into healthcare services.
Accountability and Legislative Framework
The UK recognizes the importance of establishing primary legislation to govern the processing of personal data collected through digital contact tracing, symptom tracking, and immunity certification apps. This includes defining clear accountability mechanisms to ensure transparency, privacy protection, and responsible data use as the country moves away from emergency pandemic responses.
Digital Contact Tracing and Symptom Tracking
Lessons from early app developments suggest prioritizing privacy-preserving technologies, like those based on Apple-Google frameworks, and cybersecurity oversight, such as by the National Cyber Security Centre.
Immunity Certification and Digital Identity
The NHS App is evolving as a central platform for health engagement beyond just appointment booking. Proposals include expanding the NHS identity layer from mere authentication to a broader engagement framework. This could enable personalized health prompts and verification mechanisms such as QR codes for immunity certification, facilitating access to services while linking to national tariffs for reimbursement.
Integration into NHS Services
The NHS aims to integrate these digital tools into routine health management, enhancing prevention and remote care access. The NHS 10-year plan incorporates AI-driven online advice and digital consultations through the NHS App, ensuring flexible, timely healthcare delivery while respecting patient preferences for face-to-face interactions.
Data Privacy and Ethical Standards
Apps like the ZOE COVID Symptom Study have transitioned to secure data archiving with anonymization, reflecting a commitment to participant privacy and ethical data use in ongoing research beyond the pandemic.
The review was informed by the input of more than twenty experts from various domains, including technology, policy, human rights and data protection, public health and clinical medicine, behavioral science and information systems, philosophy, sociology and anthropology.
To ensure ongoing scrutiny, the Group of Advisors on Technology in Emergencies (GATE) is recommended for establishment to review evidence, advise on design, and oversee implementation, similar to the expert group recently established by Canada's Chief Science Adviser. An independent oversight mechanism is also recommended for real-time scrutiny of policy formulation.
Moreover, non-technical measures should be implemented to account for digital exclusion. The review offers detailed evidence and recommendations for each application in the report summary.
This rapid evidence review is the beginning of the work to ensure new technologies that emerge to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic work for people and society. The review team welcomes further conversations and would be pleased to brief you or your colleagues on their findings, or consider your suggestions as to how to take this work further.
- To ensure that the use of technology for health-and-wellness purposes, such as digital contact tracing, symptom tracking apps, and immunity certification, is carried out ethically and responsibly, it is crucial to establish primary legislation for data processing and develop robust accountability mechanisms, as outlined in the rapid evidence review conducted in the UK.
- While technology plays a significant role in managing medical conditions during the COVID-19 crisis, it is equally important to address digital exclusion and ensure that non-technical measures are implemented to make these technologies accessible to all, according to the recommendations from the rapid evidence review in the UK.
