The bio-surveillance state: an emerging new normal in Asia Analysis The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred the use of digital technologies that are shaping people's lives and interaction with society. The development of apps to monitor the movements and health status of individual citizens will have long-term implications for privacy and safety. Nowhere is this more visible than in Asia. By Dev Lewis
Online Seminar on COVID-19 Contact Tracing Apps in the U.S., EU and Asia The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung and the Center for Democracy and Technology hosted an online seminar on COVID-19 contact-tracing apps in the U.S., the EU, and Asia on Wednesday, June 10th at 9am ET.
Basic internet access it not enough. We need universal connectivity! Commentary The COVID-19 crisis has exposed the ugly consequences of digital inequities around the world. The most privileged can rely on online tools as digital lifeboats while those with limited or no access are left adrift. The definition of internet access as a human right has to be expanded to include access to universal, reliable and affordable high-speed internet. By Laura Schwartz-Henderson
Home office could be here to stay in Germany – if the internet in rural areas holds up Analysis The coronavirus pandemic forced half of the German working population to work from home. A majority was happy with the move, an early study indicates. If the broadband expansion catches up in the countryside, many might never go back. By Felix Franz
Just, Inclusive, and Sustainable Post-COVID-19 Recovery Article The last few months have been daunting with COVID-19 almost paralyzed the entire world with various countries putting different areas under their jurisdiction in lockdowns. Whether or not the different kinds of approaches have been effective or not, we will know for sure in the coming weeks. By Jed Alegado
A “Bridge to Health” divides India Analysis The Indian government faces strong pushback from civil society for mandating the use of a privacy-intrusive COVID-19 tracing app. The heated legal debate resembles the previous one over the country’s controversial biometric ID system Aadhaar. By Kim Arora
One app per province? How Canada’s federalism complicates digital contact tracing Analysis A strong sense of regional sovereignty in the Canadian health care system may lead to different choices for technologies to track and contain the spread of the coronavirus. A multiplicity of non-interoperable apps could put their effectiveness in question and could create inconsistent approaches to privacy. By Teresa Scassa
We need a democratic debate on tech, privacy and social rights Commentary Tech will not free us from coronavirus, but it can provide us with helpful tools – if we foster an open and democratic debate on how to use it. By Alexandra Geese
Europe's disinformation epidemic: Who's checking the facts? Analysis Disinformation is out of control as malicious actors seek to capitalise on the Covid-19 pandemic. To date, EU schemes to tackle disinformation have focused on self regulation, but there are widespread concerns about how the EU is managing the crisis. By Jennifer Baker
