Where Technology Leads, the Problems Follow. Technosolutionism and the Dutch Contact Tracing App

Area of Science:

• Science and Technology Studies
• Public Policy Analysis
• Digital Governance

Background:

• The Dutch government developed the Coronamelder contact tracing app during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The app was intended to alleviate the burden on manual contact tracers.
• By its release, the problem context had shifted, but the app's design remained unchanged, highlighting technosolutionism.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advance a nuanced understanding of technosolutionism, differentiating it from technological fixes.
• To analyze the practical application and harms of technosolutionism using the Coronamelder as a case study.
• To examine how problems are constructed and potentially distorted within technosolutionist frameworks.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative analysis of the Coronamelder's development and problem framing.
• Application of a 'thick conception' of technosolutionism, incorporating constructivist theory.
• Examination of the evolution of the problem addressed by the app over time.

Main Results:

• Technosolutionist problems are characterized by 'bad construction,' lacking adequate public policy deliberation.
• The Coronamelder case illustrates how the problem definition shifted to fit the pre-existing technological solution.
• Three key harms identified: subversion of democratic decision-making, increased influence of Big Tech, and the creation of 'orphan problems'.

Conclusions:

• Technosolutionism can lead to significant negative consequences in public policy and governance.
• Current technology ethics, focusing on design, may be insufficient to address the systemic harms of technosolutionism.
• A critical evaluation of whether technology is the appropriate solution is crucial, beyond just its design.