A Commentary on Covid-19 Contact-Tracing Apps and Broader Societal Implications of Technosolutionism

This paper is a commentary on COVID-19 technological solutions, such as contact tracing apps, bringing into question the effectiveness of technosolutionism, and the sociotechnical implications resulting from such technologies. This paper argues that the abyss created from the lack of governance-led leadership in COVID-19 responses has exacerbated power asymmetries reliant upon technology sector led solutions that reflect current political dynamics and governance structures. In relation to these power asymmetries favoring technology companies, we are potentially creating opportunities for technocratic future visions to be further embedded into concepts of smart cities under the guise of public health. These visions and circumstances are dubbed as ‘imaginaries of health’ in the analyses. The analysis is primarily focusing on COVID-19 contact tracing apps and US context, but also references other countries’ findings, such as Australia and Singapore, as examples of contact tracing app's technological limitations. The conclusion of the paper incorporates an examination of sociotechnical effects, calls for the incorporation of alternative imaginaries, and includes suggestions for where these technologies may be better served with creative implementations, along with considerations for the development of further apps. This commentary serves as an examination of sociotechnical implications of technosolutionism under COVID-19 based technical solutions, such as contact tracing apps, with a predominant US-focus.