Vodafone boss Ametsreiter proposes the use of cell phone data to combat pandemics.
He refers to Austria.
And even goes one step further.
Hamburg - The head of
Vodafone Germany
, Hannes Ametsreiter, has
encouraged
the greater
use of cell phone data to fight pandemics
.
"Mobility data can help to cope with the crisis faster and better - so you should consider whether you could not use it better," said the CEO of the
Spiegel
on Saturday.
Currently, this is not permitted because of the “local data protection”.
In view of the current Corona * case numbers, he was wondering "whether we shouldn't even jump over our shadow".
Vodafone boss Ametsreiter argued, "The big decisions in a pandemic should be made on the basis of the best and most comprehensive database possible".
Cellular data could contribute to this.
The manager referred to the example of Austria, where mobile network providers provide the
government with movement data
.
This should also be considered in Germany: “One could draw conclusions about the mobility of certain groups of people or in certain areas,” said Ametsreiter.
This could be used, for example, to track how travelers from risk countries have moved.
Corona pandemic: Vodafone boss refers to Austria: movement data to combat the crisis
In politics, the manager met with opposition and approval.
"Instead of pondering about the grinding of data protection, we must first ensure that the measures already in place are better adhered to and monitored," said Tabea Roessner, the spokeswoman for the Green parliamentary group for network policy, the
AFP
news
agency
.
She suggested
further developing
the
Corona warning app
- "Keyword cluster detection, symptom diary and much more".
The FDP signaled its approval in principle.
"Basically, it is a good idea to use
anonymized movement
data
for the purpose
of fighting
pandemics
," said the digital policy spokesman for the parliamentary group, Manuel Höferlin, to
AFP
.
“It is important here that no personal profiles can be created.
It would be wrong to pit data protection and health protection against each other. "
Vodafone boss Ametsreiter also spoke in the
Spiegel
for a debate about a more far-reaching approach: "Personalized data would be a far-reaching step, but one should be able to think and talk about that." Such restrictions on the current legal situation should be "open to discussion - if we that brings other freedoms back earlier ”.
(afp)
