European approaches to data surveillance and tracking... Covid-19

European approaches to data surveillance and tracking in the light of Covid-19

The use of biometric technology and location data for contact tracking has been introduced as a temporary measure to fight Covid-19 virus around the globe. While there are no doubts that technology and data-driven decisions can save lives by delivering essential information, the questions of our human rights and privacy are becoming paramount in the current situation. The approaches and tools varying a lot across Europe have been implemented very quickly, as the state of emergency gives right to governments to roll out exceptional measures. The discussion is needed to discuss these different approaches and their impact on democratic processes and our values and rights. The discussion is also needed to investigate long-term perspectives and sustain the dialogue on the responsible deployment of new technology.

Panel and moderator:

• Trond Markussen, President of the Norwegian Associations of engineers and Technologists, President of the Association of Nordic Engineers
• Irina Shklovski, Professor of Communication and Computing, University of Copenhagen. Irina works across many disciplines, focusing on ethics in technology development, information privacy, social networks, and relational practices. Her projects address responsible technology design, data governance, online information disclosure, the use of self-tracking technologies, data leakage on mobile devices.
• Christel Schaldemose, Member of the European Parliament, Denmark
• Pernille Tranberg, Co-founder of European Thinkdotank Datatethics.eu. Pernille is an independent speaker and advisor in data ethics for companies, authorities and organisations. She is an internationally acknowledged speaker on data ethics and has spoken about digital self-defence at TEDxOXFORD

The event is in collaboration between IDA IT, IDA Connect, IDA Teknologivurdering & ANE (Association of Nordic Engineers).