Virus Tracing Apps have Problems

Privacy, but then what value do they deliver?

Virus-Tracing Apps Are Rife with Problems. Governments Are Rushing to Fix Them
The New York Times
Natasha Singer; Aaron Krolik
July 8, 2020

Governments are scrambling to fix coronavirus contact-tracking applications riddled with privacy and security flaws, which human rights groups and technologists warned could place hundreds of millions of people at risk for stalking, scams, identity theft, or government surveillance. For example, in June Britain ditched a virus-tracing app it was developing in favor of software from Apple and Google promoted as more "privacy preserving." Analysis by the Guardsquare mobile app security company determined that "the vast majority" of government-used virus-tracing apps are inadequately secure, and can be exploited by hackers easily. Location-tracking apps, which some countries are using to alert people of possible virus exposure or to enforce quarantines, are drawing heightened scrutiny because some continuously collect data on users' health, exact whereabouts, and social interactions. Some digital rights groups said these app launches are designed mainly to assure the public that the government is taking action. ...