S.T.O.P. Condemns Google’s Secret COVID-19 Location Tracking

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View this email in your browser For Immediate Release S.T.O.P. Condemns Google’s Secret COVID-19 Location Tracking   (NEW YORK, NY, 07/20/2020) – Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy group, condemns reports that Google’s COVID-19 contact tracing app requires the tracking of GPS location data. Earlier this year, Google aggressively promoted the privacy protections of using Bluetooth proximity tracking software to track potential COVID-19 exposure, but new revelations show that Google’s software also requires the use of GPS location data.   SEE: Google Promises Privacy With Virus App but Can Still Collect Location https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/20/technology/google-covid-tracker-app.html   “While it’s unclear if Google’s software helps combat the spread of COVID-19, it’s increasingly clear that it undermines users’ privacy,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. “This is just the latest evidence that governments should invest in evidence-based public health measures, like manual contact tracing, not new and unproven apps. Google’s API was concerning when it only used Bluetooth data, but these revelations about GPS data collection completely undermine their privacy claims.” In May, the civil rights group released its Beware: Bluetooth Ahead report, detailing the privacy risks of Google’s Bluetooth proximity software. At the time, it warned that there’s ample reason to believe this system will exacerbate health inequalities, reinforce bias, and undermine civil rights.   SEE: Beware: Bluetooth Ahead Report https://www.stopspying.org/bluetooth   Tracking coronavirus with smartphones isn't just a tech problem https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/04/17/opinion/tracking-coronavirus-with-smartphones-isnt-just-tech-problem/ Cahn continued, “We warned back in May that ‘we have no evidence that Bluetooth contact tracing will be anything more than a dangerous distraction from evidence-based public health measures.’ We said ‘Google’s privacy promises are not enough.” Today, it’s increasingly clear that we were right. We also continue to highlight the lack of legal protections to prevent employers, schools, and transit providers from making ‘opting-in’ to these apps the price of keeping your job, attending your school, or taking part in public life.” The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider hosted by the Urban Justice Center. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color.   - END –   Copyright © 2019 Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.