scholarly journals Young Adults View Smartphone Tracking Technologies for COVID-19 as Acceptable: The Case of Taiwan

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1332
Author(s):  
Paul M. Garrett ◽  
YuWen Wang ◽  
Joshua P. White ◽  
Shulan Hsieh ◽  
Carol Strong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Bayesian Methods ◽  
Telecommunication Network ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Virus Spread ◽  
Notification System ◽  
The Public ◽  
Mobile Tracking ◽  
Privacy Measures ◽  
Community Transmission

Taiwan has been successful in controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, without a vaccine the threat of a second outbreak remains. Young adults who show few to no symptoms when infected have been identified in many countries as driving the virus’ spread through unidentifiable community transmission. Mobile tracking technologies register nearby contacts of a user and notifies them if one later tests positive to the virus, potentially solving this issue; however, the effectiveness of these technologies depends on their acceptance by the public. The current study assessed attitudes towards three tracking technologies (telecommunication network tracking, a government app, and Apple and Google’s Bluetooth exposure notification system) among four samples of young Taiwanese adults (aged 25 years or younger). Using Bayesian methods, we find high acceptance for all three tracking technologies (>75%), with acceptance for each technology surpassing 90% if additional privacy measures were included. We consider the policy implications of these results for Taiwan and similar cultures.

scholarly journals Young adults view smartphone tracking technologies for COVID-19 as acceptable: the case of Taiwan

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Michael Garrett ◽  
Yu Wen Wang ◽  
Joshua Paul White ◽  
Shulan Hsieh ◽  
Carol Strong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Bayesian Methods ◽  
Telecommunication Network ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Virus Spread ◽  
Notification System ◽  
The Public ◽  
Mobile Tracking ◽  
Privacy Measures ◽  
Community Transmission

Taiwan has been successful in controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, without a vaccine the threat of a second outbreak remains. Young adults who show few-to-no symptoms when infected have been identified in many countries as driving the virus' spread through unidentifiable community transmission. Mobile tracking technologies register nearby contacts of a user and notifies them if one later tests positive to the virus, potentially solving this issue; however, the effectiveness of these technologies depends on their acceptance by the public. The current study assessed attitudes towards three tracking technologies (telecommunication network tracking, a government app, and Apple and Google's Bluetooth exposure notification system) among four samples of young Taiwanese adults (aged 25 years or younger). Using Bayesian methods, we find high acceptance for all three tracking technologies (> 75%), with acceptance for each technology surpassing 90% if additional privacy measures were included. We consider the policy implications of these results for Taiwan and similar cultures.

scholarly journals The acceptability and uptake of smartphone tracking for COVID-19 in Australia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Michael Garrett ◽  
Joshua Paul White ◽  
Stephan Lewandowsky ◽  
Yoshihisa Kashima ◽  
Andrew Perfors ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bayesian Methods ◽  
Telecommunication Network ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Privacy And Security ◽  
Notification System ◽  
The Public ◽  
Widespread Acceptance ◽  
Representative Samples

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many Governments are instituting mobile tracking technologies to perform rapid contact tracing. However, these technologies are only effective if the public is willing to use them, implying that their perceived public health benefits must outweigh personal concerns over privacy and security. The Australian federal government recently launched the `COVIDSafe' app, designed to anonymously register nearby contacts. If a contact later identifies as infected with COVID-19, health department officials can rapidly followup with their registered contacts to stop the virus' spread. The current study assessed attitudes towards three tracking technologies (telecommunication network tracking, a government app, and Apple and Google's Bluetooth exposure notification system) in two representative samples of the Australian public prior to the launch of COVIDSafe. We compared these attitudes to usage of the COVIDSafe app after its launch in a further two representative samples of the Australian public. Using Bayesian methods, we find widespread acceptance for all tracking technologies, however, observe a large intention-behaviour gap between people’s stated attitudes and actual uptake of the COVIDSafe app. We consider the policy implications of these results for Australia and the world at large.

scholarly journals The acceptability and uptake of smartphone tracking for COVID-19 in Australia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0244827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul M. Garrett ◽  
Joshua P. White ◽  
Stephan Lewandowsky ◽  
Yoshihisa Kashima ◽  
Andrew Perfors ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bayesian Methods ◽  
Telecommunication Network ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Privacy And Security ◽  
Notification System ◽  
The Public ◽  
Widespread Acceptance ◽  
Representative Samples

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many Governments are instituting mobile tracking technologies to perform rapid contact tracing. However, these technologies are only effective if the public is willing to use them, implying that their perceived public health benefits must outweigh personal concerns over privacy and security. The Australian federal government recently launched the ‘COVIDSafe’ app, designed to anonymously register nearby contacts. If a contact later identifies as infected with COVID-19, health department officials can rapidly followup with their registered contacts to stop the virus’ spread. The current study assessed attitudes towards three tracking technologies (telecommunication network tracking, a government app, and Apple and Google’s Bluetooth exposure notification system) in two representative samples of the Australian public prior to the launch of COVIDSafe. We compared these attitudes to usage of the COVIDSafe app after its launch in a further two representative samples of the Australian public. Using Bayesian methods, we find widespread acceptance for all tracking technologies, however, observe a large intention-behaviour gap between people’s stated attitudes and actual uptake of the COVIDSafe app. We consider the policy implications of these results for Australia and the world at large.

scholarly journals High national acceptance for COVID-19 contact tracing technologies in Taiwan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Michael Garrett ◽  
Yu Wen Wang ◽  
Joshua Paul White ◽  
Yoshihisa Kashima ◽  
Simon Dennis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Security ◽  
Telecommunication Network ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Security And Privacy ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Policy Compliance ◽  
Notification System ◽  
Privacy Measures ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Technology Benefits

Taiwan has been a world leader in controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, the Taiwan Government launched its COVID-19 tracing App the `Taiwan Social Distancing App', however the effectiveness of this tracing App depends on its acceptance and uptake among the general population. We measured acceptance for three hypothetical tracing technologies (telecommunication network tracing, a government App, and the Apple and Google Bluetooth exposure notification system) in four nationally representative Taiwanese samples. Using Bayesian methods, we find high acceptance for all three tracking technologies, with acceptance increasing with the inclusion of additional privacy measures. Modelling revealed acceptance increased with the perceived technology benefits, trust in the providers' intent, data security and privacy measures, the level of ongoing control, and one's level of education. Acceptance decreased with data sensitivity perceptions, and perceived low policy compliance by others in the general public. We consider the policy implications of these results for Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic and into the future.

High national acceptance for COVID-19 contact tracing technologies in Taiwan (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul M. Garrett ◽  
Yuwen Wang ◽  
Joshua P. White ◽  
Yoshihisa Kashima ◽  
Simon Dennis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Virus Spread ◽  
Security Measures ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Privacy And Security ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Public ◽  
Privacy Measures ◽  
Credible Intervals

BACKGROUND Governments worldwide have introduced COVID-19 tracing technologies. Taiwan, a world leader in controlling the virus’ spread, has introduced the Taiwan ‘Social Distancing App’ to facilitate COVID-19 contact tracing. However, for these technologies to be effective, they must be accepted and used by the public. OBJECTIVE Our study aimed to determine public acceptance for three hypothetical tracing technologies: a centralized Government App, a decentralized Bluetooth App (e.g., Taiwan’s Social Distancing App), and a Telecommunication tracing technology; and model what factors contributed to their acceptance. METHODS Four nationally representative surveys were conducted in April 2020 sampling 6,000 Taiwanese residents. Perceptions and impacts of COVID-19, government effectiveness, worldviews, and attitudes towards and acceptance of one-of-three hypothetical tracing technologies were assessed. RESULTS Technology acceptance was high across all hypothetical technologies (67% - 73%) and improved with additional privacy measures (82% - 88%). Bayesian modelling (using 95% highest density credible intervals) showed data sensitivity and perceived poor COVID-19 policy compliance inhibited technology acceptance. By contrast, technology benefits (e.g., returning to activities, reducing virus spread, lowering the likelihood of infection), higher education, and perceived technology privacy, security, and trust, were all contributing factors to overall acceptance. Bayesian ordinal probit models revealed higher COVID-19 concern for other people than for one’s self. CONCLUSIONS Taiwan is currently using a range of technologies to minimize the spread of COVID-19 as the country returns to normal economic and social activities. We observed high acceptance for COVID-19 tracing technologies among the Taiwanese public, a promising and necessary finding for the successful introduction of Taiwan’s new ‘Social Distancing App’. Policy makers may capitalize on this acceptance by focusing attention towards the App’s benefits, privacy and security measures, making the App’s privacy measures transparent to the public, and emphasizing App uptake and compliance among the public. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable.

Modern Day Trojan Horse

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-37
Author(s):  
Zahra Sina ◽  
Nadia Abdullahi
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Correlation Study ◽  
Trojan Horse ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
The Public

Personal hygiene products are used on a daily basis by many people. Many are comparable to the Trojan horse. On the outside, they appear to be harmless. They are contained in attractive bottles and they rely on misleading ads to attract consumers. However, these products may contain potentially harmful chemicals and many people are unaware of how individuals, societies and environments are affected in the various stages of the life cycle of many personal hygiene products. Our STSE issue deals with an everyday product that falls under the Trojan horse analogy–lotion. We are concerned that our peers and other young adults are purchasing lotions without the knowledge of how they came to stand on the shelves of a store. We conducted a correlation study between gender and popular lotion brands among teenagers and the reasons behind their choices. We came to the conclusion that more females than males were interested in popular lotion brands due to enticing features that targets mainly feminine interests (e.g. scent is an aspect of lotion that more females than males consider when purchasing the brand). For our actions, we prepared an educational mind-map on our issue and a video compilation where we interviewed female students on their reactions to various lotion brand commercials. Our actions are meant to inform the public about the controversies surrounding our issue and the techniques companies use to gain the attention of potential consumers.

Fiduciary Principles and Public Offices

2019 ◽  
pp. 302-322
Author(s):  
Ethan J. Leib ◽  
Stephen R. Galoob
Keyword(s):  
Administrative Law ◽  
Public Law ◽  
Public Institutions ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Public Officials ◽  
Public Office ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Normative Structure ◽  
The Public ◽  
Positive Law

This chapter examines how fiduciary principles apply to public offices, focusing on what it means for officeholders to comport themselves to their respective public roles appropriately. Public law institutions can operate in accordance with fiduciary norms even when they are enforced differently from the remedial mechanisms available in private fiduciary law. In the public sector, fiduciary norms are difficult to enforce directly and the fiduciary norms of public office do not overlap completely with the positive law governing public officials. Nevertheless, core fiduciary principles are at the heart of public officeholding, and public officers need to fulfill their fiduciary role obligations. This chapter first considers three areas of U.S. public law whose fiduciary character reinforces the tenet that public office is a public trust: the U.S. Constitution’s “Emoluments Clauses,” administrative law, and the law of judging. It then explores the fiduciary character of public law by looking at the deeper normative structure of public officeholding, placing emphasis on how public officeholders are constrained by the principles of loyalty, care, deliberation, conscientiousness, and robustness. It also compares the policy implications of the fiduciary view of officeholding with those of Dennis Thompson’s view before concluding with an explanation of how the application of fiduciary principles might differ between public and private law settings and how public institutions might be designed or reformed in light of fiduciary norms.

scholarly journals Emergency Manager Perceptions of the Effectiveness and Limitations of Mass Notification Systems: A Mixed Method Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
William V. Pelfrey
Keyword(s):  
Text Messaging ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Notification System ◽  
Emergency Managers ◽  
Emergency Manager ◽  
Wide Variability ◽  
Manager Perceptions ◽  
Critical Resource ◽  
Multi Method Approach ◽  
Method Approach

AbstractDisasters can move quickly. Effective communication is a critical resource that can significantly enhance public safety. A mass notification system (MNS) uses text messaging to inform constituents of crisis, provide recommendations, connect to resources, and has the advantage of speed. Limited research has been conducted on the variables that influence the effectiveness, utilization, and perceptions of MNS. The extant study employs a multi-method approach to advance the scholarly knowledge on MNS. All emergency managers in a state were surveyed on issues of MNS enrollment, utilization, and brand. A subgroup of emergency managers were then interviewed to provide depth to the survey findings. Key findings indicate wide variability in MNS usage, little relationship between population size and enrollment, and a high perceived importance of MNS as a communication modality. Policy implications and recommendations are offered.

scholarly journals Exploring the Traveler’s Intentions to Use Public Transport during the COVID-19 Pandemic While Complying with Precautionary Measures

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 3630
Author(s):  
Muhammad Abdullah ◽  
Nazam Ali ◽  
Charitha Dias ◽  
Tiziana Campisi ◽  
Muhammad Ashraf Javid
Keyword(s):  
Public Transport ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Developing Regions ◽  
Infected People ◽  
The Public ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Precautionary Measures ◽  
Safety Guidelines

Public transport use has drastically declined during the COVID-19 pandemic because the virus spreads through close contact with infected people and contaminated surfaces, especially in closed-environments. Evidence suggests that following the necessary safety guidelines can limit the spread of the virus, however, non-compliance to precautionary measures has been reported widely. Ignoring the precautionary measures may lead to quick transmission of the virus since public transport vehicles generally resemble closed-environments. This study explores people’s intentions to use public transport during the COVID-19 pandemic while adhering to precautionary measures. For this purpose, a total of 1516 useable responses were collected through a questionnaire survey conducted in Lahore, Pakistan. Regression models were developed to model the intentions to use public transport during the pandemic, to adhere to the precautionary measures while using public transport during the pandemic, and to use public transport while suffering from COVID-19 disease. The results of this study will help in understanding the intentions of the public transport users during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will also provide insights for policymakers and public transport operators about further necessary actions to promote safe public transport use during the current and any possible future pandemics. As public transport use declined during the pandemic, policy implications for alternative mobility options such as demand-responsive-transport (DRT) are also presented. Considering the study results, a policy interventions framework is proposed to promote the safe use of various public transport modes, particularly in developing regions.

scholarly journals Epidemiological modelling of the health and economic effects of COVID-19 control in Australia’s second wave

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Quentin Grafton ◽  
John Parslow ◽  
Tom Kompas ◽  
Kathryn Glass ◽  
Emily Banks
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Public ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Community Transmission ◽  
Second Wave ◽  
Detection Strategies

Abstract Background We investigated the public health and economy outcomes of different levels of social distancing to control a ‘second wave’ outbreak in Australia and identify implications for public health management of COVID-19. Methods Individual-based and compartment models were used to simulate the effects of different social distancing and detection strategies on Australian COVID-19 infections and the economy from March to July 2020. These models were used to evaluate the effects of different social distancing levels and the early relaxation of suppression measures, in terms of public health and economy outcomes. Results The models, fitted to observations up to July 2020, yielded projections consistent with subsequent cases and showed that better public health outcomes and lower economy costs occur when social distancing measures are more stringent, implemented earlier and implemented for a sufficiently long duration. Early relaxation of suppression results in worse public health outcomes and higher economy costs. Conclusions Better public health outcomes (reduced COVID-19 fatalities) are positively associated with lower economy costs and higher levels of social distancing; achieving zero community transmission lowers both public health and economy costs compared to allowing community transmission to continue; and early relaxation of social distancing increases both public health and economy costs.

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