Topic: Digital Health Pass

The involvement of IBM and Clear in developing digital health passes for Ticketmaster is compared to historical tracking efforts. While one host believes these systems will be fully implemented for travel and work, the other argues it is a propaganda tactic that will never be fully realized due to the financial costs to businesses. They record a formal disagreement in their "Red Book" on November 12, 2020.

The travel industry is adopting digital health passports like AOK Pass to verify COVID-19 test results and vaccination status. Airlines including JetBlue and United are testing these apps, which generate unique QR codes for travelers. The market for these services is estimated at $20 billion. Analysts suggest this system will create a tiered travel experience, incentivizing vaccination to avoid frequent testing requirements.

Ticketmaster announced plans to integrate digital health verification into its ticketing process, potentially requiring fans to prove vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test via mobile apps. The system would utilize third-party health data firms like Clear and IBM to verify medical records without Ticketmaster storing the data directly. Debate persists over whether this constitutes a "vaccine passport" and if such measures are legally discriminatory or economically viable for event venues.