ICT applications and the COVID-19 pandemic: Impacts on the individual's digital data, digital privacy, and data protection

Frontiers in Human Dynamics

Human Dynamics

Zhaohui Su¹  Tong Zou²  Ali Cheshmehzangi³ 

[1] Center on Smart and Connected Health Technologies, Mays Cancer Center, School of Nursing, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States;School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China;Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China;Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS), Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan;Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China;

关键词: ICT application;    COVID-19;    data use;    individual's data and information;    data protection;    data collection;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fhumd.2023.971504

 received in 2022-06-17, accepted in 2023-02-07,  发布年份 2023

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

A prominent move amid the COVID-19 pandemic is related to the wide use of ICT applications for various reasons. Such services are context-specific and sector-specific, but we see transformative directions leading to digital data collection, monitory, and management platforms. For now, these have been beneficial to evaluate trends and issues related to the pandemic. Some aggregated data could also help decision-making processes, which are helpful to contain such disruptive events. However, the main concern is the use of the individual's data and information, which means we may shift to micro-management and eventual controlling tools that could harm data protection processes. Undoubtedly, the use of ICTs during the COVID-19 pandemic has been primarily positive at multiple scales, but we have to evaluate the pros and cons before accepting all data collection processes. Such ICT-mediated platforms and/or applications must remain beneficial to all and avoid breaching the individual's data protection. This short communication paper first introduces ICT applications during the COVID-19 before providing an overview and further analysis of the situation of the ICT applications. Afterward, it discusses issues of data privacy, data collection, and data use, which are the backbone of ICT applications. The discussions highlight that future research in this area could look into associated issues related to digital privacy, data-driven approaches, and data protection regulations.

【 授权许可】

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Copyright © 2023 Cheshmehzangi, Su and Zou.