Analyzing the Essential Attributes of Nationally Issued COVID-19 Contact Tracing Apps: Open-Source Intelligence Approach and Content Analysis

Background Contact tracing apps are potentially useful tools for supporting national COVID-19 containment strategies. Various with different technical design features have been commissioned and issued by governments worldwide. Objective Our goal was to develop propose an item set that suitable describing monitoring nationally contact apps. This could provide a framework the key of such their use based on widely available information. Methods We used open-source intelligence approach (OSINT) access multitude publicly sources collect data information regarding development in countries over several months (from June 2020 January 2021). The collected documents were then iteratively analyzed via content analysis methods. During this process, initial subject areas refined into categories evaluation (ie, coherent topics), which examined individual features. These paraphrased as items form questions applied materials from sample Brazil, China, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom [England Wales]). purposefully selected; our intention include around world valid can be relatively easily using OSINT approach. Results subsequent resulted definition following five main associated subcategories: (1) background (open-source code, public information, collaborators); (2) purpose workflow (secondary warning process design); (3) (protocol, technology, exposure notification system, interoperability); (4) privacy protection (the entity trust anonymity); (5) availability (release date number downloads). Based structure, constituted specified. application these 10 selected revealed differences, especially regard centralization overall transparency apps’ makeup. Conclusions criteria evaluating might help identify promote successful, widespread adoption among target populations across boundaries.