Surveillance technologies are being used around the world to keep track of COVID-19 patients and whether or not they are following instructed guidelines, but many patients believe these surveillance methods are burdening fundamental rights.
According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), GPS ankle shackles, GPS apps and other technologies are being used to track and monitor coronavirus patients.
In West Virginia and Kentucky, any coronavirus patient that goes against stay-at-home orders are being ordered to wear a GPS ankle shackle and in Hawaii, anyone visiting from out of state has to wear the GPS ankle shackle as well, according to EFF. Different variations of tracking patients are in effect throughout the world and are all questioning an individual's fundamental rights.
But tracking coronavirus patients like this may undermine public health. If an individual knows they will be tracked if tested positive for the virus, they may not want their privacy infringed on. This could result in someone, who potentially has the virus, to choose not to be tested, according to EFF.
Tracking those who are coronavirus positive is intrusive and often if an individual has to wear a GPS shackle, they have to pay for it themselves when the government is the one requiring it, according to EFF.
It can also lead to discriminatory application against people of minorities, such as people or color and vulnerable groups. There are racial disparities in the criminal justice system and some police officers are expressing racial disparities in how they enforce social distancing, according to EFF. This could lead the new surveillance methods to be used in a discriminatory way.
With all the negative effects, no one should have to submit to GPS tracking or other surveillance, even if they test positive for the coronavirus, according to EFF. Most people are willing to comply with guidelines if diagnosed with the virus and don't require any type of surveillance to ensure they are doing so.
