Half of Americans with smartphones don't trust tech companies to properly handle COVID-19 tracking

Apple and Google have recently announced plans to use their smartphone platforms to help track the spread of COVID-19 (colloquially known as the Coronavirus). However, this has made half of smartphone-wielding Americans quite nervous about their personal privacy.

In a poll released by the Washington Post and the University of Maryland released this week, it was revealed that half of Americans with smartphones would not use an app created by Apple and/or Google to help track COVID-19 cases. Of the Americans with smartphones polled, 30% said they would “probably not” use the app, while 20% said they would “definitely not” use a tracking app.

This distrust is further highlighted with other questions in the poll. 56% of those polled expressed distrust that tech companies like Apple and Google would ensure those that report a COVID-19 diagnosis would remain anonymous. That response reflects a general distrust concerning the anonymity of COVID-19 tracking; 43%, 43%, and 52% of Americans polled don’t trust universities, public health agencies, or health insurance companies, respectively, to maintain the anonymity of those that report a coronavirus diagnosis.

While neither Google nor Apple has released a COVID-19 tracking tool, it appears they have an uphill battle to encourage adoption. The distrust of big tech has grown stronger over the past few years, and it doesn’t look like it will wane anytime soon.

What are your thoughts on the lack of trust for Apple’s and Google’s handling of coronavirus reporting? Let us know in the comments below.