Contact Tracing Apps in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Contact tracing apps for the COVID-19 pandemic, from a personal data protection point of view, are discussed in this chapter. More precisely, having the relevant European legal framework as a basis, the authors investigate the underlying personal data processing that occurs from these apps in relation with the relevant privacy risks that are inherent in the smart mobile ecosystem. The analysis indicates that there exist several different approaches across the world, whereas even in countries with unified legal framework there exist some discrepancies in the design philosophy and the operation of these apps. Since user trust is essential for the effectiveness of such types of apps, they discuss the importance of respecting the fundamental right of privacy when developing and operating such applications. The ultimate goal is to illustrate the need to strike the proper balance between substantial public interests and the right to the protection of personal data.