In the fight against the corona virus, the long-planned state warning app for smartphones starts. Other countries are ahead.
Many countries hope that Corona apps will work . If it were up to the EU Commission, the apps should also help when traveling in times of pandemic. However, the federal consumer centers are skeptical about this question: Although the tracing of the "Corona Warning App" also works abroad, it says on its website: Smartphones could also exchange Bluetooth signals there. A warning in the event of contact with an infected person is not possible in this case, because so far this has only worked nationally.
It is planned that at least the decentralized apps like those in Germany or Switzerland will be compatible with each other. However, communication with an app with a central approach such as the "Stop Covid" app in France "would rather not work". It is recommended: "Anyone traveling abroad can download and use the authorized app for the respective country."
Corona app in Iceland
Iceland : The "Rakning-Covid-19" app has been in circulation since April and around 40 percent of the more than 350,000 Icelanders should use it. Using GPS tracking technology, it tracks where people have been and whether there has been contact with infected people. However, reports say the use of the app is low: GPS data is less accurate than Bluetooth technology. According to chief epidemiologist Thorolfur Gudnason, the app is now supposed to give tourists tips and replace the two-week quarantine with a corona test upon entry.
Corona app in Italy
Italy : The Italian “Immuni” app has been over two million downloads and has been available for almost two weeks. The functions are not yet activated nationwide, which should happen later this month. As in Germany, the app's source code is openly available and based on contact tracking via Bluetooth. The data is stored decentrally. The app does not request any personal data and, especially important for vacationers, can be operated in German, among other things.
Corona app in the UK
Great Britain : The British app is still only being tested and is struggling with problems. Unlike in Germany, the technical specifications of Google and Apple for a decentralized system have so far been dispensed with here. The BBC reports that a test was launched last week on the Isle of Wight in southern England last week. Because of going it alone, there are problems with Apple devices. Therefore, it is considered to switch the system entirely to the decentralized approach - which should lead to further delays.
Corona app in Spain
Spain: So far, the warning app in Spain, which has been available since April, is not very popular. Offered in cooperation between the government and the Telefónica company, it offers self-assessment tests on symptoms and contact details of the responsible bodies in the event of suspected cases. However, users must provide their passport's identity number, full name and address. Contacts with infected people are checked via Bluetooth. The GPS authorization must be granted once when registering. Infection data should be kept locally for a maximum of two months.
Corona app in Australia
Australia : 6.2 million Australians, around a quarter of the population, are said to have installed the “COVIDSafe” app launched by the government with great hope at the end of April. So far, according to the Australian television ABC, the application has not been used to identify an infection that has not also become known in the conventional way. Authorities explain this with the comparatively low corona numbers: Johns Hopkins University has so far only noted 7,300 known infections for Australia. (Clara Gehrunger, Jakob Maurer)