Global vaccine database?

The purpose of this article is not to question the efficacy of vaccines per se. It is concerned with the bigger issue of using a pandemic, or any other event, to push the notion of global digital infrastructure.

There are glaring problems with the type of database Mr Blair has suggested. Here are a few. 

Threats to privacy

Even the most basic global database would if it were to have any benefit, include sensitive personal information. For this reason, it would be a natural target for increasingly adept hackers and fraudsters. 

In the US alone, identity theft affects more than 60 million people each year, at an estimated total cost of around $16.9 billion. The country sees a new ID theft every two seconds.

New developments in encryption might limit this type of activity for a while but, ultimately, no encryption is foolproof. 

Potential rights abuses

A global database infrastructure of any kind could almost inevitably, in time, lead to infringements of human rights, including, perhaps, freedoms of worship and expression. 

Even today, unscrupulous governments can easily use national databases to gain access to personal data without public authorisation. 

The Chinese government is a world leader in spying on its citizens. Authorities in parts of China have adopted “social credit” systems which rank citizens according to their ability to act in government-approved ways.

Citizens who break laws even at the level of breaking a speed limit are penalised and denied opportunities that may be open to others. Buying too many video games is also a demerit-worthy offence.

Imagine the possibilities open to - and the temptations faced by - domestic governments, Chinese or otherwise, when global databases are in play.

Technology creep

Do a little light reading on the social impacts of new technology and you'll come across many examples of technology creep.

From time to time, governments seek the support of the public for new technologies to help protect people and property. These technologies are duly approved by voters, but only for particular, limited uses. Later, government agencies have applied them in ways the public has not approved - and is often against.