Big data, privacy and COVID-19 - learning from humanitarian expertise in data protection

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Law and Technology
• Human Rights

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated widespread use of tracking technology and data-driven tools for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 spread.
• This unprecedented use of location data by governments, from telecom operators and tech companies, significantly impacted privacy and data protection.
• Existing legal frameworks and human rights treaties offer limited safeguards against misuse during states of emergency.

Discussion:

• The article examines the legal deficiencies in data protection and privacy during the COVID-19 crisis.
• It highlights the inadequacy of traditional privacy regimes focused on individual consent in emergency situations.
• The potential for governmental and corporate misuse of data is a significant concern, leaving individuals with few remedies.

Key Insights:

• The humanitarian sector possesses over a decade of experience in responsible data handling during crises.
• International organizations and humanitarian actors have developed guidelines for ethical data use in extreme circumstances.
• There is a critical need to bridge the gap between crisis response needs and robust data protection measures.

Outlook:

• Further development of legal frameworks is required to protect privacy during pandemics.
• Integrating humanitarian best practices into public health data governance is essential.
• Ensuring individual and collective autonomy requires stronger safeguards for data responsibility in crisis contexts.