Solidarity as an Empirical-Ethical Framework for the Analysis of Contact Tracing Apps — a Novel Approach

Abstract

Digital contact tracing is used in different countries to help contain the COVID-19 pandemic. It raises challenging empirical and ethical questions due to its complexity and widespread effects calling for a broader approach in ethical evaluation. However, existing approaches often fail to include all relevant value perspectives or lack reference to empirical data on the artifact in question. In this paper, we describe the development of an interdisciplinary framework to analyze digital contact tracing from an empirical and ethical perspective. Starting with an analysis of methodological tensions in the attempt to analyze digital contact tracing, we, firstly, set out three methodological premises regarding (a) a specific view of technology, (b) a fruitful normative perspective, and (c) ways to gather empirical knowledge about the object under investigation. Secondly, we inspect consequences of these premises to develop our research methodology. In doing so, we argue for a postphenomenological perspective on technology, solidarity as an important concept to guide the ethical perspective, and an empirical approach based on qualitative social science research and the concept of affordances. We illustrate these considerations by referring to our analysis of the German Corona-Warn-App as an instance of contact tracing based on the Exposure Notification Framework by Google and Apple. We then discuss the implications of using such a framework, including considerations concerning future developments of technologies similar to or inspired by the current concepts of contact tracing.

Smartphone Apps for Containing the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany: Qualitative Interview Study With Experts Based on Grounded Theory

“…The empirical subproject aimed to create a qualitative database to highlight critical points associated with the implementation of DCT. The ethical subproject focused on capturing the qualitative research findings and subjecting them to ethical analysis [ 11 , 12 ].…”

The Role of Transparency in Digital Contact Tracing During COVID-19: Insights from an Expert Survey

“…01KI20527), which took place from October 2020 to December 2021. Its primary objective was to gain a deeper understanding of the social, ethical, and technical aspects related to the use of DCT in the pandemic through a qualitative study [14,15,23]. To this end, the project focused on the German version of a DCT app, the "Corona-Warn-App", pursuing various research questions:…”

“…In the following empirical section, the qualitative quotes are presented in an abbreviated form for readability. Therefore, we use a combination of the interview number (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19), gender (m/f) and field of expertise (Journalism = Journ, Ethics = Eth, Computer Science = Comp, Legal Studies = Leg, Social Science = Soc, Medicine = Med). For example, an interview quote is declared as follows: (7,f,Soc), which means that it is a quote from the seventh interview, conducted with a female interviewee who had expertise in social science.…”

“…(4,m,Comp) This point also pertains to a general phenomenon of how health technologies communicate about diseases. In view of the incalculable risks and consequences of a COVID-19 infection, receiving infection reports "via the smartphone can be shocking" (14). At the same time, they refer to "different horizons of understanding" (5) as they do not provide an opportunity to counsel a "diagnosing doctor" (15) and thus verify the infection.…”

“…In a broad sense, transparency is often associated with openness and honesty in disclosing information, promoting democratic governance ideals during crises. Its crucial role in gaining, maintaining, and losing trust in a health technology has been explored throughout the pandemic and in various fields, including governance communication, public policy, solidarity and public health information [14,17,41,45].…”