Alameda County, digital contact tracing

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

BACKGROUND:
Different cities and states around the country are starting to research digital contracting. Broadly, digital contact tracing is any effort to use technology or a mobile app in order to track where a person diagnosed with COVID-19 (or, symptomatic of COVID-19) goes, and who they may have come into contact with.

Usually, a mobile app will use bluetooth technology or geolocation data in order to see where a person has been. Different public health authorities around the country are researching ways to safely and digitally share their COVID-19 test results with contact tracing apps. Other apps are relying on self-reported symptoms.

Sometimes, the term “exposure notification” is used instead of “contact tracing,” and that term refers to the notification people may get if they’ve come into contact with a person diagnosed with/symptomatic of COVID-19. Other times, the term "deconfinement app" is also used instead of “contact tracing,”and that term refers to the desired end goal: flattening the curve, ending confinement/quarantine.

RECORDS REQUESTED:
Therefore, I hereby request the following records — and please limit the time frame of all requested documents from March 1, 2020 to the time that this request is processed:

* Any digital communications including but not limited to emails and text messages) as well as documents, (including but not limited to PDF, word processing, excel, and slide documents) that mention one or any of the following terms: “digital contact tracing,” “contact tracing app,” “exposure notification,” “deconfinement app.”

* Any digital communications including but not limited to emails and text messages) with representatives from Apple and Google, whose emails will have the domains @apple.com or @google.com, respectively.

* All instructional materials, presentations and presentation materials (including recorded video and audio, PowerPoint files, prepared remarks, and slides formats), and other guidance from A) Apple and/or Google, or B) any company pitching the development of digital contact tracing tools or a contact tracing app. This includes (a) any pitch or slide deks, (b) any notes taken during meetings, and (c) any other document that has been used to help explain the meeting/briefing to any party, including internal documentation, public relations materials, and executive summaries.

* Any contracts, purchase, orders, invoices, and receipts for services related to digital contact tracing, contact tracing apps, exposure notifications, or deconfinement apps.

* A copy of any privacy impact assessments, use policies, standard operating procedures, data retention policies, legal opinions, warranties, non-disclosure agreements, contracts, liability waivers, insurance agreements, Requests for Proposals, Responses to Requests for Proposal, Memorandums of Understanding, Letters of Interest, usage policies, or informal agreements related to digital contact tracing, contact tracing apps, exposure notifications, or deconfinement apps.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public in the process of reporting for BuzzFeed News, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes. Therefore, I hereby request that all fees are waived in the processing of this request.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Caroline Haskins