Redefining Privacy and Security: Insights from the Covid-19 Pandemic and Beyond

Abstract

To check and control the spread of SARS-CoV-2, governments worldwide are turning to monitoring technology and other data-driven methods. Such massive privacy and data security breaches would be inconceivable during regular times. In the event of a pandemic situation, we used to communicate with location data telecom carriers and technology firms because it's possible. Importantly, current restrictions do not adequately safeguard citizens' privacy from government and corporate abuse. Individual permission is at the foundation of existing privacy regimes, and most human rights treaties acknowledge emergency exceptions to confidentiality and data protection regulations. Individual and group autonomy is thus left with few safeguards and remedies.
On the other hand, the problem of using data responsibly amid a crisis isn't new. The humanitarian industry may draw on over a decade of expertise. International and humanitarian groups have developed exceptional standards for the responsible use of data. This test points to legal data and privacy protection gaps throughout the global crisis. The report looks at the current state of data protection and data management in humanitarian practice and the academic world in times of crisis.