Coronavirus tracing apps can help ease confinement

Ahead of a video conference of the EU Telecommunications Ministers on Tuesday, the EPP Group calls on EU Member States to choose a common approach for the use of COVID-19 contact-tracing mobile applications. These apps must work across European borders, must be compatible with one another and respect EU data protection standards.

"Safety and fundamental rights are not in contradiction with one another. We must make sure that these apps are fully in line with our European data protection laws. Any data processing for the purpose of fighting the pandemic has to be transparent and in full respect of EU fundamental rights. We want data protection authorities to have an independent oversight on the processing in order to ensure public trust in tracing apps", said Esteban González Pons MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group responsible for Legal and Home Affairs.

"We do not necessarily need one single app, but we do need one single approach and a single standard. This app should do nothing more than trace contacts. We want the data to be stored locally, not centrally. It should be time limited. This is not 'Big Brother', but a decentralised system to alert users who have been near someone who has tested positive for the virus. Such apps can help ease confinement measures", said Esther de Lange MEP, EPP Group Vice-Chairwoman responsible for Economy, Environment and Health.

"Member States must coordinate and remain coherent in how they proceed. If a person crosses a border with this app, the data generated in a neighbouring country needs to remain relevant and be taken into consideration", stressed de Lange.