Data privacy and security during a pandemic

There are many reasons why observers are calling the current pandemic an unprecedented health crisis. Besides the obvious impact on public health and economic activity, it has also significantly changed the way we get the simplest things done. Masks and face shields are now mandatory items to wear even for a quick trip to a neighborhood store. For most establishments, you can’t enter without first getting your temperature checked. And for employees who have returned to their workplaces, many have found themselves having to divulge so much personal health information just to be allowed entry into the premises.

The nature of this virus is such that organizations are having to collect personal data from private citizens in order to protect public health. For the most part, it is a trade-off people understand and accept, but inevitably issues regarding privacy and data security will arise. Three months ago, for example, news came out that the National Privacy Commission was investigating privacy breaches involving more than 150 coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients, some of which were perpetrated by individuals who had ready access to the patients’ information.