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Equitable design and use of digital surveillance technologies during COVID-19 : Norms and concerns
Pratt, Bridget Parker, Michael Bull, Susan
Pratt, Bridget
Parker, Michael
Bull, Susan
Abstract
Given the unprecedented scale of digital surveillance in the COVID-19 pandemic, designing and implementing digital technologies in ways that are equitable is critical now and in future epidemics and pandemics. Yet to date there has been very limited consideration about what is necessary to promote their equitable design and implementation. In this study, literature relating to the use of digital surveillance technologies during epidemics and pandemics was collected and thematically analyzed for ethical norms and concerns related to equity and social justice. Eleven norms are reported, including procedural fairness and inclusive approaches to design and implementation, designing to rectify or avoid exacerbating inequities, and fair access. Identified concerns relate to digital divides, stigma and discrimination, disparate risk of harm, and unfair design processes. We conclude by considering what dimensions of social justice the norms promote and whether identified concerns can be addressed by building the identified norms into technology design and implementation practice.
Keywords
digital technologies, contact tracing, data sharing, COVID-19, fairness, justice, equity
Date
2022
Type
Journal article
Journal
Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics
Book
Volume
17
Issue
5
Page Range
573-586
Article Number
ACU Department
Queensland Bioethics Centre
Faculty of Theology and Philosophy
Faculty of Theology and Philosophy
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled