The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted many digital advancements, including a new app developed in conjunction with the Mayo Clinic, Harvard University, alongside other, dubbed Private Kit Safe Paths.
The Private Kit Safe Paths app asks users to share their location, and are notified when they come into close proximity with someone who has been diagnosed with the virus. The system will also notify users of how long they were in contact with the infected individual. To keep the app accurate, only health professionals are able to update the app with confirmed cases using a secondary app. However, the app will only be effective if a large number of people download and use it.
David Carroll, Associate Professor of Media Design at Parsons the New School stated: "Without leadership urging people to use an app like this, it’s a lost cause, and unfortunately, the more draconian method of involuntary surveillance is more likely to be deployed."
Virus Proximity Warning Apps
Private Kit Safe Paths Notifies When Someone Infected is Near
Trend Themes
1. Proximity Tracking - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop advanced proximity tracking technology to enhance contact tracing capabilities and enable timely notifications.
2. Remote Health Monitoring - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create remote health monitoring solutions that utilize location data to provide real-time updates on potential exposure risks.
3. Collaborative Data Sharing - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Establish secure platforms for collaborative data sharing among health professionals and individuals to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of proximity warning apps.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare Technology - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Innovate within the healthcare technology industry by developing advanced proximity tracking systems and remote health monitoring solutions.
2. Mobile Application Development - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the field of mobile application development to create user-friendly proximity warning apps that encourage widespread adoption and usage.
3. Data Security and Privacy - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Focus on data security and privacy solutions to address concerns and build trust among users of proximity warning apps through encrypted and transparent data sharing protocols.