Public hesitation wasn't just about a general dislike of tracking; it was rooted in specific, documented risks:
Even with anonymized data, researchers warned of "linkage attacks," where hackers or institutions could cross-reference anonymous app data with other public information to re-identify individuals. Privacy Concerns Hindering Digital Contact Tracing
The Trust Gap: How Privacy Fears Stalled Digital Contact Tracing Public hesitation wasn't just about a general dislike
A primary fear was "techno-governance"—the idea that governments would use pandemic-era tracking to build permanent surveillance infrastructures. it was rooted in specific