Ethical considerations of public health surveillance in the age of the internet of things technologies: A perspective

Abstract

In the age of the Internet of Things (IoT), ethical considerations of digitally-led public health surveillance are crucial. However, their application becomes complicated due to an implicit dichotomy of ethical and legal factors. Decision-makers often omit ethical considerations, citing legal ones to justify how public health surveillance is approached and implemented. We propose an analytical framework informed by a further exposition of how influence and power are enacted at the macro, meso, and micro levelscorrelated to a spectrum of ethical practices. We then apply the spectrum of ethical practices to the four use cases of “Healthcare Delivery Using Drones”, “COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada”, “Air Quality and Air Pollution”, and “Heatwaves”. When technology deployment prioritizes efficiency over accessibility, it can exacerbate disparities, especially for individuals with lower socioeconomic status and literacy levels. To mitigate these issues, it is essential to incorporate public deliberation, co-design, and community engagement into decision-making processes. This approach advances the incorporation of diverse perspectives to better frame technology initiatives.