Massachusetts Covid Data Settlement Rejected Over Newspaper Size

A settlement with Massachusetts’ health department that would destroy data collected through Covid-19 tracking software installed on Android devices must be announced through venues with more audience, a federal court ruled.

Six people alleged that Massachusetts worked with Google to automatically install MassNotify on Android devices without their consent. The application would notify state residents if someone who opted in tested positive for Covid-19 but would still collect data from those who hadn’t affirmatively assent to the program, according to court documents in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

The settlement says Massachusetts would deliver notice of ...