Observatory for Monitoring Data-Driven Approaches to Covid-19 ("OMDDAC")

OMDDAC will provide a national, public space for the consolidation of knowledge and understanding around data-driven approaches to COVID-19, focused upon legal, ethical, policy and operational challenges. Data-driven responses are being developed rapidly across the public sector, academia and industry. These include combining digital health datasets within a single dashboard, use of communications data to map trends, monitoring of quarantine behaviour by drones and automated number plate recognition, and access to Bluetooth data for contact tracing. Developing technology in a 'one-dimensional' way (Nuffield Council on Bioethics 2020) without appropriate consideration of underlying values and judgements, the context and resulting interventions brings with it a high risk of errors, limited efficacy and unintended consequences for individuals. OMDACC's purpose is to provide a long-term mechanism to mitigate these risks in a way that responds to public opinion. This will be achieved by adopting an innovative mixed-methods research design, incorporating case study analysis, stakeholder interviews, representative public surveys, and the development of practitioner-focussed guidelines. By collating lessons learned throughout this period, OMDDAC will be integral to informing both policy and public thinking regarding pandemic management. It is imperative that the UK develops a framework governing the use of data-driven approaches that can be deployed during public health emergencies. Drawing on a powerful range of practical and academic expertise, and working with influential supporting partners such as the Ada Lovelace Institute, OMDDAC is designed to facilitate this process.