Preferences in the willingness to download a Covid tracing app: An experimental study in the Netherlands and Turkey (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Despite the worldwide growth in using Covid-19 tracing apps and the potential benefits for citizens, governments, healthcare professionals, businesses, and other organizations, only a few number of studies have examined factors affecting the willingness to download levels. OBJECTIVE In the current study we investigated individuals’ preferences in the willingness to download of a health app. METHODS We conducted an experimental study in two countries (the Netherlands [N=62] and Turkey [N=83], using four different vignettes (i.e., data protection models, manufacturer, reward model, and gaming model) with different attributes. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the conditions within the vignettes. RESULTS The results showed that data protection and gaming elements are factors that influence the willingness to download a Covid-19 tracing app. More specific, we see that data protection is an important factor explaining the willingness to download the app in Turkey, while including gaming elements significantly affects the willingness to download in the Netherlands. CONCLUSIONS Covid-19 tracing apps are highly promising to reduce the spread of the virus and make it easier to open up society faster, especially because they can be used quickly and share information rapidly. Covid-19 tracing app developers must ensure that the apps satisfactorily addressing ethical consideration sufficiently, even in times of crisis.