Why are we still using the ArriveCAN app? Why is it still mandatory?

In today’s Big Story podcast, early in the pandemic governments were in dire need of ways to protect their citizens and stop the spread of COVID-19. That’s why Canada’s developed the ArriveCAN app, to help process returning Canadians and incoming foreigners and ensure their compliance with what were then very strict COVID protocols. Now, many are questioning whether it’s continued use is really necessary.

Bianca Wylie is a technology expert, a partner at Digital Public, and a co-founder of Tech Reset Canada. She joined us on the Big Story to share her thoughts on the ArriveCAN app, and discuss how it may be damaging public trust in government.

“These aren’t consumer apps, this is a public service, this has to do with our rights, so we should be very careful that this doesn’t set a precedent that we’re okay with mandatory technology,” she said.

So why is ArriveCAN still mandatory? What do we know about the data it collects and what is done with it? And what’s the danger of a government requiring citizens to use a piece of digital technology?

You can subscribe to The Big Story podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google and Spotify.

You can also find it at thebigstorypodcast.ca.