Germans hail coronavirus tracing app ‘so secure even ministers use it’

Health minister Jens Spahn (centre)
POOL/AFP via Getty Images
John Dunne @jhdunne16 June 2020

Germany today launched a coronavirus tracing app that officials say is so secure even government ministers can use it.

The new Covid-Warn-App uses Bluetooth to monitor close contacts between people and issue a warning should one of them test positive.

“Everyone who downloads the app, and everyone who encourages friends to do so, is making a difference,” said health minister Jens Spahn.

A spokesman for the German interior ministry said confidence in its security was such “there can be an unreserved recommendation to members of the federal government to use this app”.

Norway has suspended use of its track and trace app after a spat between health authorities and the information watchdog.

Its data protection agency said that the low infection rate meant data gathering on the app could no longer be justified.

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