JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

There is a fundamental need to establish the most ethical and effective way of tracking disease in the post-pandemic era. The ubiquity of mobile phones generating passive data (collected without active user participation) has become a tool for tracking disease. Although discussions of pragmatism or economic issues tend to guide public health decisions, ethical issues are the foremost public concern. Thus, officials must look to history and current moral frameworks to avoid past mistakes and ethical pitfalls. Past pandemics demonstrate that the aftermath is the most effective time to make health policy decisions. However, sophisticated analyses of passive data for digital public health surveillance have yet to be attempted, and there is no consensus on the best method to do so. Therefore, four patient-reported areas of concern must be addressed: (1) informed consent (2) privacy, (3) equity, and (4) ownership. Preparations must be undertaken proactively using the lessons fresh in our collective consciousness.