Data security is understandably the most common concern raised when the widespread use of digital health passports is discussed. These apps will contain and communicate travellers’ most personal and private data and users will need to feel confident that software developers are doing everything they can in order to protect it.
Different technology providers are taking different approaches. Some developers have implemented the use of blockchain technology, as this means that there is no central database that could be hacked to access personal information. It also means the app providers do not collect personal and medical data. Alternatively, some providers are relying on biometric authentication to provide data security.
From a corporate travel perspective, whenever digital health passports are introduced as part of a corporate travel booking tool or as company travel policy it will be essential for corporates to carry out due diligence on the security of different passport products and clarify whether they, as employers, would face liability in the event of any security breaches.
Despite the fact that there are already numerous health passport apps available for download currently, there is yet to be a set of industry-wide standards established for the creation, implementation and use of digital health passports.
Without standardisation, the space in which digital health passport apps operate can become fragmented and take on a ‘wild west’ quality, ultimately leading to more complexity for travellers and a reduced adoption of the technology itself. However, achieving standardisation of a technology as complex, nuanced and sensitive.
In order for digital health passports to truly serve their purpose, multiple elements of the testing and travel processes must be examined and standardised. For example, a universal directory of the latest travel restrictions and testing laboratories would need to be developed in order to take into account regional approaches. This would also allow airlines to ensure that passengers are compliant with border rules and regulations, without limiting the choice of labs they could go to or the choice of digital health passports they could use.
International Air Transport Association (IATA) have shared that they are working on a standardised solution that will be based on a global registry of requirements and also a global registry of testing labs - more information can be found here.
Following on from the challenges of standardisation, the global adoption of digital health passports will also be heavily impacted by local government attitudes and overriding cultural norms.
It is important to see global adoption of digital health passport technology as different from and separate to any kind of enforcement from governments. Although many within the travel sector are keen for as many travellers as possible to embrace the technology, as this will help to facilitate a quicker return to travel as we know it, there is an acknowledgement that enforced use of the technology is unlikely.
It would be politically difficult and divisive for governments to endorse a system that only gives the right to travel to certain individuals, particularly when a vaccine has not been offered to all adults yet. There are also wider concerns surrounding ‘immunoprivilege’ and structural inequalities that would prevent some travellers from accessing the testing, vaccinations or technology needed to travel in a world where the use of digital health passports was enforced.
Much of the discussion around health passports has focused around apps and digital technology - understandably so, as focus has been on developing contactless solutions that can be deployed quickly at a large scale.
However, voices from within the medical, travel and tech communities have shared concerns over the security and validity of a digital health passport when compared with paper certifications that are currently used to prove Yellow Fever vaccination.
They point out that as some countries lack the digital infrastructure to support multiple ‘e-gate’ check points throughout the travel process, a simple solution would be preferable.
Overcoming these challenges is no easy feat, as counter arguments point out that a paper-based system would be challenging to introduce at scale and could fall prey to fraud and forgery.