Digital contact-tracing during the Covid-19 pandemic: an analysis of newspaper coverage in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland

摘要: Governments around the globe have started to develop and deploy digital contact tracing apps gain control over spread of novel coronavirus (Covid-19). The appropriateness usefulness these technologies as a containment measure since sparked political academic discussions globally. present paper contributes this debate through an exploration how national daily newspapers in Germany, Austria, Switzerland reported on development adoption contact-tracing during early after stages lockdown. These countries were among first Europe critical voices decentralized vs. centralized data processing. We conducted thematic analysis news coverage published between January May 2020 high-circulation (print) from Switzerland. A total 148 newspaper articles included final analysis. From our emerged six core themes apps: 1) governance; 2) role IT giants; 3) scientific rigor; 4) voluntariness; 5) functional efficacy; 6) app. results shed light different facets discussion regarding portrayed German-speaking media. As can serve proxy for public perception, study complements emerging survey perceptions by identifying potential issues concern.