In the EU coordinated COVID19 exit strategy presented jointly by the Commission & EU Council yesterday, contact tracing through mobile apps is the second measure proposed. 'Create a framework for contact tracing and warning ... which respects data privacy' https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/communication_-_a_european_roadmap_to_lifting_coronavirus_containment_measures_0.pdf

'They should thus be an important element in the strategies put in place by Member States, complementing other measures like increased testing capacities. The use of such mobile apps should be voluntary for individuals, ... & fully respecting European privacy and #EUDataP
rules.'

'National health authorities shld be involved in the design of the system.Tracing close proximity between mobile devices shld be allowed only on an anonymous and aggregated basis, without any tracking of citizens, & names of possibly infected should not be disclosed 2 other users

Crucial: 'Mobile tracing and warning applications should be subject to demanding transparency requirements, be deactivated as soon as the COVID-19 crisis is over and any remaining data erased.'

& the Commission & Council note they are aware of the @PeppPt umbrella initiative (see ft 8), but there is no mention on centralized v decentralized . A pan-European approach & interoperability of apps is highly encouraged. CC, ICYMI: @mikarv @carmelatroncoso @RDBinns @sedyst