Physical vaccine cards may be losing legitimacy as more digital versions are being released.
Samsung, one of the world's top producers of electronic devices, now has what is often referred to as a "vaccine pass."
Through the company's partnership with The Commons Project and CommonHealth, a digital vaccine card was created that can be displayed from a user's cell phone.
The Commons Project is a Switzerland-based nonprofit, funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, whose website professes that "communities are stronger when data is open and can be shared for the benefit of all."
But what is the perceived benefit of exposing health information?
CommonHealth is listed as a public service by The Commons Project. It claims to help people "collect, store and share their personal health information." Their website claims that they empower users with their health information, while maintaining industry-leading "privacy standards."
Perhaps they missed the "personal" and "privacy" part with sharing health records.
CommonHealth utilizes an active registry of health care providers that meet their eligibility requirements. Once a patient has been administered a vaccination, the provider may then issue a pass that can be uploaded to the Samsung Wallet.
Many people have become accustomed to using digital cardsthrough more established virtual payment methods such as Samsung Pay and ApplePay. These types of software allow the processing of a transaction without a physical payment method present.
While there is much benefit to the advancement of technology and increase of digitalization, the benefits come with some downsides, one being that people will become even more reliant on cell phones and technology in general.
With in-person social interactions on the decline, further digital dependency will only progress the breakdown of human interaction that is arguably necessary for mental health and a well-functioning society.
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