A SMART phone app used to trace COVID-19 infections is set to be launched in Germany despite the country’s widespread concern over privacy and encroaching digital surveillance.

The app-based approach, pioneered by Singapore in its relatively successful fight against the coronavirus, could be rolled out within weeks after a broad political consensus emerged.

While the use of individual smartphone location data to track the spread of the coronavirus would be illegal under national and European Union privacy laws, the app’s adoption has received support from across the German political spectrum.

The widespread adoption of the app may need the tacit approval of individuals, which could hamper its effectiveness. German Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht told Deutschlandfunk radio Tuesday that tracking apps to help tackle coronavirus could only be used voluntarily.

“It’s a real infringement if I have such data so I can only agree with everyone who says that if there is such a solution that actually breaks the chains of infection, it’s only possible if those who have it on their mobile phones and so use it do so voluntarily,” Lambrecht said.

An agreement across party lines decided that it would be useful and acceptable to track close-proximity Bluetooth “handshakes” between smartphones.

(SD-Agencies)