Public perception on privacy and acceptance of contact tracing application for controlling the spread of COVID-19 in Quang Ninh, Vietnam

Abstract

Since personal data has become valuable resources in the digital age, the concern of people on privacy turns to be more sensitive and significant among Vietnamese young adults. However, when the government introduced contact tracing application (Bluezone) in April 2020 to trace the movement of people with the aim in controlling the spread of COVID-19, the public attitude changed significantly. As time goes by, many comments on social networks and reviews on the Bluezone app had shown positive attitudes when people gradually accepted Bluezone and recommended others to download the app on their phone. With a case study in Quang Ninh province (Northeast Vietnam), the study shows that the health issue is placed on the top of priority. It outweighs the privacy issues during COVID-19 era. The study gives propotional amount of information and opinion on how young people decide to accept the use if the Bluezone application provided by the government to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. This youth group do not take privacy consideration as the highest priority. They rather prefer safety of personal and community more seriously. People place their trust in the competency of the government and follow the instruction rather than other private sources of choice.