13 Does the ‘Canada COVID-19 alert’ app stand up to critical scrutiny? A rapid qualitative assessment

BackgroundIn the wake of the urgency to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, several tools have been rapidly developed and implemented As part of the ‘digital government response to COVID-19,’ the Government of Canada launched the ‘Canada COVID-19 Alert’ app in June 2020 This cellphone/tablet-based app aims to use Bluetooth technology to notify users of potential exposures to COVID-19 Despite reports that over 40 such apps have been implemented worldwide, evaluations of the government’s intended aims, the extent to which those aims are realized through these tools, and the implications of their usage are missing ObjectiveThis study undertakes a rapid qualitative assessment of the Canada COVID-19 app during the first phase of its development and implementation (May-October 2020) MethodsThree qualitative methods are employed: 1) Review of government website and available documentary materials to assess intended aims 2) Walkthrough of the app to assess the extend to which the intended aims might be accomplished 3) Analysis of Canadian newspaper coverage to assess the societal implications of app usage Critical analyses are guided by asking: for what ends, for whom, by whom, and under which circumstances can the app operate as intended Rapid assessment focuses on the role and balance of evidence-, needs-, and/or technology-driven justifications, and of public health- and/or government-oriented goals and functions ResultsPreliminary analyses indicate that the app’s aims remain elusive It serves a limited potential proximity notification role, rather than a contact tracing aim Debates about data privacy and storage concerns indicate scepticism and mistrust of the app Profit (re)distribution and tool de-implementation plans amid an unlikely clear-cut pandemic ‘end’ remain absent ConclusionsIn a time which trust in public health measures are essential for the control of communicable disease, the tools employed must be assessed Only through critical scrutiny can new tools stand up to benefit the public good