The EC and the EU Members States issued a toolbox for the use of mobile applications for contact tracing and alerting during the coronavirus pandemic. The toolbox is accompanied by guidance on data protection for such mobile app

“Contact tracing apps to limit the spread of coronavirus can be useful, especially as part of Member States’ exit strategies. – said Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, to welcome the toolbox – However, strong privacy safeguards are a pre-requisite for the uptake of these apps, and therefore their usefulness. While we should be innovative and make the best use of technology in fighting the pandemic, we will not compromise on our values and privacy requirements.”

How mobile apps can help during the COVID-19 outbreak:

•  If fully compliant with EU rules they can play a key role in all phases of crisis management, especially when time will be ripe to gradually lift social distancing measures.
• They can complement existing manual contact tracing and help interrupt the transmission chain of the virus.

For more details, please see the official communication from the European Commission.