[lex24]

HIPAA has to be one of the most commonly misunderstood laws, if not the most.

But most USA organizations understand avoiding lawsuits is sound business practice.

Unless something specifically requires them to disclose private information it is generally best to not disclose that information.   Then trust the individual or the government will provide contact tracing information, as needed. 

There are a number of reasons why the USA is #1 in COVID cases and deaths, privacy rights and concerns are definitely in the mix.

For example, has everyone consented to the CA Notify app yet?

I’m thinking about it. But I’m going to admit I’m concerned. Not that the government will use the information. But that Internet companies will. It’s all about data collection for them. That’s where the trillions of dollars are. So I’m probably an idiot on this – which I firmly admit. And in the end I suspect I’ll get it. But I’m not gonna lie, I have some concerns. Privacy, to the extent it exists is important to me.   Having said that I guarantee you that if I get Covid  I will engage in contact tracing and I would have no difficulty with them using my name. My problem is having a telephone that constantly monitors where I am. And companies out there that are willing to tap into that. Not to mention hackers. 

So please tell me where I’m wrong on this. I mean that. I am not particularly tech savvy. Actually that’s an understatement.

GR - Those concerns are legit enough.   The app claims it is all bluetooth based, but not hard to imagine a world where someone, some company, some government gets the information and uses it for something.

However many aps actually track your physical location and info from your phone, so other apps would be better sources of info.
For example, I have a Wal-Mart app that allows me to "Check-In" for my curbside pickups that tracks my progress and projects my arrival time.  That's great, today my purchases were literally in the parking lot waiting for me as I arrived.   However, it also means Wal-Mart and others have a good chunk of information on my driving habits, purchases, vehicle type, etc.

I also have a few gaming apps on my phone that I often used in airports pre-COVID, and they push commercials all the time.   My oldest child is applying to colleges, so I have a good bit of college browsing history on my phone.    Sure enough, most of my game ads in the last 20 days have been for the University of Arizona.   It really is a good ad, likely does wonders if I was a teenager thinking of going to UofA.

So, apps can reveal a lot about users.   However, in this case if everyone was on CA Notify (I realize that won't happen) then you wouldn't have this worry about care facility disclosure of COVID interactions.   CA Notify...would notify you.  

So there is a touch of irony about you wanting information from others about COVID, but not willing to provide information about yourself for potential future COVID issues.

I am sure you see that too, right?

Not quite sure what you mean.  If I get Covid, I’ll provide info.  No question.  My concern on the App is the use of info from it.

[lex24]

HIPAA has to be one of the most commonly misunderstood laws, if not the most.

But most USA organizations understand avoiding lawsuits is sound business practice.

Unless something specifically requires them to disclose private information it is generally best to not disclose that information.   Then trust the individual or the government will provide contact tracing information, as needed. 

There are a number of reasons why the USA is #1 in COVID cases and deaths, privacy rights and concerns are definitely in the mix.

For example, has everyone consented to the CA Notify app yet?

I’m thinking about it. But I’m going to admit I’m concerned. Not that the government will use the information. But that Internet companies will. It’s all about data collection for them. That’s where the trillions of dollars are. So I’m probably an idiot on this – which I firmly admit. And in the end I suspect I’ll get it. But I’m not gonna lie, I have some concerns. Privacy, to the extent it exists is important to me.   Having said that I guarantee you that if I get Covid  I will engage in contact tracing and I would have no difficulty with them using my name. My problem is having a telephone that constantly monitors where I am. And companies out there that are willing to tap into that. Not to mention hackers. 

So please tell me where I’m wrong on this. I mean that. I am not particularly tech savvy. Actually that’s an understatement.

GR - Those concerns are legit enough.   The app claims it is all bluetooth based, but not hard to imagine a world where someone, some company, some government gets the information and uses it for something.

However many aps actually track your physical location and info from your phone, so other apps would be better sources of info.
For example, I have a Wal-Mart app that allows me to "Check-In" for my curbside pickups that tracks my progress and projects my arrival time.  That's great, today my purchases were literally in the parking lot waiting for me as I arrived.   However, it also means Wal-Mart and others have a good chunk of information on my driving habits, purchases, vehicle type, etc.

I also have a few gaming apps on my phone that I often used in airports pre-COVID, and they push commercials all the time.   My oldest child is applying to colleges, so I have a good bit of college browsing history on my phone.    Sure enough, most of my game ads in the last 20 days have been for the University of Arizona.   It really is a good ad, likely does wonders if I was a teenager thinking of going to UofA.

So, apps can reveal a lot about users.   However, in this case if everyone was on CA Notify (I realize that won't happen) then you wouldn't have this worry about care facility disclosure of COVID interactions.   CA Notify...would notify you.  

So there is a touch of irony about you wanting information from others about COVID, but not willing to provide information about yourself for potential future COVID issues.

I am sure you see that too, right?

Not quite sure what you mean.  If I get Covid, I’ll provide info.  No question.  My concern on the App is the use of info from it.