As coronavirus fears grow, people in China are prioritising safety over privacy by downloading an app that alerts them if they’ve crossed paths with someone who’s infected. While people may not want tech to exploit their data, this case shows how a threat can cause people's attitudes to change.

The World Health Organization has joined TikTok to teach teens about Coronavirus through informative videos. As fears of a possible global pandemic rise and conspiracy theories snowball about the virus, expert bodies like the WHO are taking a role in communicating the facts.

What benefits would encourage app users to hand over their data? How are digital platforms helping people understand their heritage and wellbeing? Would added humanity make AI helpers more attractive? And what’s the appeal of temporary gadget ownership?

Once an app to help people find their lost iPhone, Apple’s Find My has developed into a way for people to communicate by sharing their geo-locations with friends and family. To be convinced to give up their privacy, people are expecting brands to offer a greater sense of connectivity and safety.