Security News > 2020 > April > Global Surveillance in the Wake of COVID-19

The most common form of surveillance implemented to battle the pandemic is the use of smartphone location data, which can track population-level movement down to enforcing individual quarantines.

Some governments are making apps that offer coronavirus health information, while also sharing location information with authorities for a period of time.

While the tool's efficacy was likely low, given reports of asymptomatic carriers of the virus, the app saved location data of millions of Iranians, according to a Vice report.

One of the most alarming measures being implemented is in Argentina, where those who are caught breaking quarantine are being forced to download an app that tracks their location.

In Hong Kong, those arriving in the airport are given electronic tracking bracelets that must be synced to their home location through their smartphone's GPS signal.

News URL

https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2020/04/global_surveill.html