How to encourage Australians to adopt the contact tracing app? – A privacy lens

Contact tracing apps have been increasingly used for fighting the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. Such apps can help control the epidemic if well adopted. The Australian government released a contact tracing app, COVIDSafe, in late April, for controlling the spread of COVID-19. Understanding the critical determinants for the adoption of the COVIDSafe app is becoming critical. This study investigates the critical determinants for the adoption of the COVIDSafe app. A research model is developed based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology and the privacy calculus theory for better understanding the adoption of contact tracing apps. Such a model can then be tested and validated in the future study for better exploring the critical determinants of adopting contact tracing apps. This study provides a foundation for understanding the adoption of contact tracing apps. The findings can help the government formulate targeted strategies and policies for promoting the adoption of the contact tracing app. They can inform future epidemic control for better emergency management in Australia with the potential applicability on a global scale.