CrowdNotifier: Decentralized Privacy-Preserving Presence Tracing

This lecture covers the CrowdNotifier protocol, a privacy-preserving presence tracing system designed to notify individuals who were in contact with SARS-CoV-2-positive attendees in crowded environments. It discusses the limitations of traditional contact tracing methods, the advantages and disadvantages of CrowdNotifier, and the need for efficient notification solutions. The protocol's ability to complement manual contact tracing, provide strong privacy protection, and scale nationally is highlighted. The lecture emphasizes the importance of addressing airborne transmission risks beyond close physical contact, especially in crowded indoor settings. It also explores the challenges faced by contact tracers in notifying individuals present at high-risk events and locations. The presentation concludes by introducing CrowdNotifier as a simple yet effective solution that leverages QR code scanning for notifying presence contacts.