your privacy during the coronavirus pandemic

I’m not sure what day of quarantine this is, but considering how every day is a new normal, I figured I’d share my thoughts on COVID-19 and how technology plays a role in your privacy.

---

State and local government agencies are beginning to enforce “shelter-at-home” mandates and people are starting to panic or blow it off. Despite where you fall, the government could soon use technology to identify your whereabouts to ensure you aren’t endangering others and practicing social distancing.

---

Here’s an interesting excerpt from TechCrunch I read yesterday:

“US president Donald Trump was reported last week to have summoned a number of tech companies to the White House to discuss how mobile location data could be used for tracking citizens.

In another development this month he announced Google was working on a nationwide coronavirus screening site — in fact it’s Verily, a different division of Alphabet. But concerns were quickly raised that the site requires users to sign in with a Google account, suggesting users’ health-related queries could be linked to other online activity the tech giant monetizes via ads. (Verily has said the data is stored separately and not linked to other Google products, although the privacy policy does allow data to be shared with third parties including Salesforce for customer service purposes.)”

---

The intent sounds like they are trying to help slow the spread of the disease, but what happens after we return to normal? What do they plan to do with the data and/or will it be sold?

---

While you create ways to entertain yourself, be mindful of what you share on social media and what message you send. Oh, and read the fine print!

Instead, use this time to create memories with your loved ones or start a new side hustle -- (you've got nothing but time).

Be blessed, be safe, and be kind.

-btg