GAO Floats Federal Contact Tracing App

Policymakers could recommend a federal contact-tracing app for smartphones to enhance U.S. COVID-19 response, GAO suggested Thursday. This “could add more functions by integrating exposure notification capabilities with test scheduling and vaccine delivery coordination,” the agency said. It noted that a national approach “would likely have associated costs and require sustained funding during the pandemic.” It’s unclear whether user trust would be higher for a national app or a state government app, the auditor said: Congress should consider developing internet privacy legislation to enhance consumer protections.