Are the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-themed applications launched during the pandemic sustainable?

Abstract

Many digital applications (Apps) were launched during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic for various purposes such as information sharing, risk assessment, self-management of symptoms, contact tracing, home monitoring, and decision making. Since the quality of COVID-19-themed Apps varied and was less reliable based on measurements using the mobile Apps rating scale method, some of these Apps are considered useful while some are said to have the potential to harm users. This suggests the need for authorized institutions to validate and ensure the safety and security of these Apps before it was launched in public. This is necessary considering the potential dangers arising from App inaccuracies, as well as the potential misuse of user data due to data breaches. With these considerations in mind, we consider that the vaccine passport is an App with a COVID-19 theme that must be refined and applied sustainably amid the ongoing global crisis and the uncertainty of this pandemic.