Recommendation (EU) 2020/518 on a common Union toolbox for the use of technology and data to combat and exit from the COVID-19 crisis, in particular concerning mobile applications and the use of anonymised mobility data

Summary:

Recommendation published by the European Commission on 8 April 2020, proposing a number of steps and measures to develop a common approach for the use of mobile applications and mobile data in response to the coronavirus pandemic across the European Union (EU).

Further information:

The Recommendation sets out a process towards the adoption with the Member States of a toolbox, focusing on two dimensions:

• a pan-European coordinated approach for the use of mobile applications for empowering citizens to take effective and more targeted social distancing measures and for warning, preventing and contact tracing;
• a common approach for modelling and predicting the evolution of the virus through anonymised and aggregated mobile location data.

The Recommendation sets out key principles for the use of these apps and data as regards data security and the respect of EU fundamental rights such as privacy and data protection.

Official

EU EDPS: EU Digital Solidarity: a call for a pan-European approach against the pandemic (6 April 2020) https://edps.europa.eu/sites/edp/files/publication/2020-04-06_eu_digital_solidarity_covid19_en.pdf

European Commission: Press Release, 08/04/2020: Coronavirus: Commission adopts Recommendation to support exit strategies through mobile data and apps https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_626

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News

EurActiv, 02/04/2020: Commission to probe COVID-19 apps in Europe https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/commission-to-probe-covid-19-apps-in-europe/

Politico, 06/04/2020: EU data regulator calls for pan-European COVID-19 app https://www.politico.eu/article/coronavirus-europe-data-regulator-calls-for-pan-european-covid-19-app/

Deutsche Welle, 08/04/2020: EU unveils coronavirus app tracking guidelines https://p.dw.com/p/3adt1

The Irish Times, 08/04/2020: EU to adopt pan-European approach on mobile apps to fight coronavirus https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/eu-to-adopt-pan-european-approach-on-mobile-apps-to-fight-coronavirus-1.4223925

Bloomberg, 08/04/2020: EU Pushes for Coordinated Virus-Tracking Mobile Apps https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-08/eu-to-push-for-coordinated-virus-tracking-mobile-apps

Reuters, 08/04/2020: EU to adopt unified policy on coronavirus mobile apps https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN21Q15H

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