The Department of Public Health is seeking bidders to help pilot tech-assisted COVID-19 contact tracing efforts in Massachusetts. The state’s deadline for bids is December 1.

Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts, today released the following statement:

“Unlike other states, Massachusetts did not leap to adopt tech-assisted COVID-19 contact tracing. Instead, the Baker administration is asking for evidence prior to adoption that a COVID-19 contact tracing app will be effective, equitable, privacy-preserving, and practical. The ACLU of Massachusetts commends this thoughtful, deliberate approach."

Kade Crockford, director of the ACLU of Massachusetts’ Technology for Liberty Program, today released the following statement:

“Massachusetts leaders are right to center privacy, equity, efficacy, and security in their exploration of tech-assisted contact tracing. There’s a lot we don’t know about whether exposure notification technologies meaningfully contribute to manual contact tracing efforts, in a way that reduces the spread of this deadly virus. The Commonwealth’s approach here—to look carefully first—is prudent and commendable.”

For more information about the ACLU of Massachusetts’ COVID-19 response, go to: aclum.org/covid19