Germany: App for tracking in the fight against coronavirus

(Patria) – German Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht stated on Tuesday that apps for tracking as a measure against the spread of coronavirus infection can only be used in Germany on a voluntary basis, as people are extremely suspicious of digital surveillance.

She stated that such a measure would otherwise be illegal, and could only be used if it can be proven to break the chain of infection and if those who have the app on their mobile phones agree to use it.

Germany plans to launch a mobile phone app that would help locate coronavirus infection cases, as successfully done first by official Singapore.

A broad political consensus has already been reached in Germany that such a move would not constitute a violation of privacy, Reuters writes.