A study on the perceptions and practices of Qatari society towards the Ehteraz app
The Ibn Khaldon Center for Humanities & Social Sciences in Qatar University (QU) organized a seminar on ‘Coexisting with Covid-19 – between recovery requirements and privacy anxiety: A study on the perceptions and practices of Qatari society towards the Ehteraz app.’ During the seminar, results of the study were presented to stakeholders, relevant authorities in the state, researchers and others interested in the topic.
The seminar was attended by representatives of the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), who funded the research project, as well as representatives from the research sector at QU and its affiliates.
The study aims to explore the perceptions of Qataris on Ehteraz, understand their experiences with the application, how they use it on a daily basis and to what extent they believe the application contributes to the recovery and health of the community.
In a statement Dr. Badrane Benlahcene, lead of the research project said, “The Ehteraz application has faced mixed reactions, some people like it and appreciate it and some people don’t. Each team has their own justifications for their feelings towards it, which revolve around two distinct values: The weight of the app in helping to achieve recovery and health within the community, contrasted by privacy concerns. This has been well researched, however never in the Qatari context.”
He adds, “The research team has made great efforts to achieve the objectives of the study, and has completed three scientific papers that will be published in prestigious refereed scientific journals. In view of the importance of the project, this seminar was held to present the results of this study to stakeholders.”
It is worth noting that Covid-19 was an exceptional global situation, leading countries and governments to make exceptional decisions in an effort to protect their communities. The Ministry of Interior in Qatar issued a decree, that starting 22 May 2020, citizens and residents of Qatar must install the Ehteraz application on their smartphones, under Law No. 17 of 1990 on Protection from Infectious Diseases.
Source: Qatar University