As America Reopens – Disease Contact Tracing Applications & Consumer Privacy

Public health experts believe that the widespread use of mobile disease contact tracing applications could greatly help control the spread of the coronavirus. These apps will notify users if and when they have been in close contact with other users who report they have contracted COVID-19. Such knowledge will enable users to take appropriate, precautionary steps to stop the spread of the virus, such as testing for the disease and self-isolation.

Contact tracing apps require the collection and use of personal information by mobile devices. As a result, key members of Congress have introduced legislation that would provide privacy protections to users. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, introduced the COVID-19 Consumer Data Protection Act, which would, among other things, require covered entities to obtain user consent for the collection and use of data, as well as place restrictions on how such entities can use such data.

Join ML Strategies along with senior staff of the Senate Commerce Committee who are spearheading Chairman Wicker’s efforts on the bill. 

Topics will include:

• How does the COVID-19 Consumer Data Protection Act differ from other contact tracing privacy bills that have been introduced?
• What is the scope and applicability of the bill?
• How would the bill’s provisions affect other state and federal laws?
• What are the prospects going forward with COVID-related privacy legislation?