A tale of two contact-tracing apps – comparing Australia’s CovidSafe and New Zealand’s NZ Covid Tracer
Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance
ISSN: 2398-5038
Article publication date: 1 September 2021
Issue publication date: 9 November 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The Australian and New Zealand governments have released smartphone-based apps to complement contact tracing in the event that they face a resurgence of COVID-19 infections. The apps form part of both countries’ policies to support a return to social and economic engagement following extended lockdowns. This paper aims to investigate the extent to which the two approaches are fit for purpose and compare their functional characteristics.
Design/methodology/approach
Using process mapping and analysis, this paper evaluates the potential of the two apps to improve the performance of existing contact tracing systems across a range of efficiency and effectiveness criteria with an emphasis on the framework proposed by Verrall (2020).
Findings
The Bluetooth-based Australian app appears likely to assist that country’s contact tracing system to perform more efficiently and effectively in the event of a resurgence of the virus and should increase confidence in re-engagement. The New Zealand QR code-based app, however, is not well-aligned with these objectives. Its interaction with a range of other regulations and obligations, combined with the inconvenience it imposes on its users, is likely to militate against its use. Bluetooth-based apps based on interactions between individuals likely better support these population-based objectives than QR code-based location-specific apps.
Originality/value
This paper provides an original and extensive analysis of the functionality and effectiveness of Australia and New Zealand’s official contact-tracing apps.
Keywords
Citation
Howell, B. and Potgieter, P.H. (2021), "A tale of two contact-tracing apps – comparing Australia’s CovidSafe and New Zealand’s NZ Covid Tracer", Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance, Vol. 23 No. 5, pp. 509-528. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPRG-06-2020-0075
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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