Covid OneView system covertly predicts lockdown breakers

A system used during the COVID-19 pandemic to gather extensive personal information about UK citizens residents raised privacy concerns. 

Developed by Xantura, Covid OneView collected and analysed data from various sources, including council records, the electoral roll, and information from private companies. The data ranged from financial information, including spending habits, to relationship status (including infidelity), family composition, employment status, health conditions, political views and social media activity.

The councils using the system claimed the data was used to identify vulnerable residents who may need support during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, critics argues that the level of data collection was unnecessart, intrusive and raised significant privacy issues. 

Specifically, concerns were raised about the extent of personal information being gathered, for how long the data would be retained, the potential misuse of the information, and the lack of transparency about the system's operations.

While the system's proponents argued it helped target support to those in need, critics were anxious about the long-term implications of such extensive data gathering by local authorities.