U.S. reasons not using COVID-19 contact tracing apps 2020

According to a December 2020 survey of U.S. adults, 47 percent of respondents reported that a major reason they were not using a contact tracing app on their mobile phone to trace the spread of COVID-19, was because they were concerned about third-party groups having their private health data and location. Additionally, only 11 percent of respondents reported a major reason for not using such apps was because they would rather not know if they had potentially been exposed to the virus.

Main reasons why adults in the United States are not using a COVID-19 (coronavirus) contact tracing app on their mobile phone as of December 2020

Characteristic	Major reason	Minor reason	Not a reason at all
I’m concerned about third-party groups having my private health data and location	47%	23%	30%
I didn’t know the technology was available	24%	23%	53%
I don’t understand the exposure notification system	22%	24%	54%
I don’t want to disrupt my life further with notifications of potential COVID-19 exposures	20%	25%	55%
I don’t believe the virus is as big of a threat as it’s said to be	17%	16%	67%
I would rather not know if I have potentially been exposed	11%	19%	70%

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Release date

December 2020

More information

Region

United States

Survey time period

December 1 to 4, 2020

Number of respondents

1,897 respondents

Age group

18 years and older

Special properties

respondents not using a COVID-19 contact tracing app

Supplementary notes

Original question: "To what extent are the following a reason why you are not currently using a COVID-19 (coronavirus) exposure tracing app, or are they not a reason at all? I’m concerned about third-party groups having my private health data and location; I don’t believe the virus is as big of a threat as it’s been said to be; I don’t understand the exposure notification system, including who operates it or why it’s needed; I didn't know the technology was available; I would rather not know if I have potentially been exposed; I don’t want to disrupt my life further with notifications of potential COVID-19 exposures"

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