Fraunhofer proposes German approach to coronavirus tracing app
The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has developed its own approach for a German proximity tracing app to help contain the coronavirus pandemic. The aim is to augment health authorities' processes with digital tools.
The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has presented its own proposal for a German approach to contact tracing using smartphone applications to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.
The initiative aims to create an IT system that supports public health authorities in their efforts to contain the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The app utilizes Bluetooth technology on mobile phones to measure distance and time. This allows it to notify users of potential infection exposure while adhering strictly to data protection regulations. Fraunhofer President Prof. Reimund Neugebauer emphasized that digital tracing tools can be crucial in pandemic containment, provided they are based on facts and scientific understanding.
Development of the system began in March 2020, supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Federal Ministry of Health. The project has aimed from the outset to create a pan-European solution that complies with data privacy laws. Initial field tests conducted with the German armed forces have verified the system's functionality and reliability. Collaboration with French partners has been intensified to ensure full compatibility.
Key Fraunhofer institutes involved include the Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI), AISEC, and IIS. Cooperation is also underway with operating system providers Google and Apple to ensure the app's broad availability. The system collects and processes only essential data, and its use is voluntary. Users can uninstall the app at any time without revealing personal information.