THE UK's coronavirus contact tracing app may breach data protection laws and should not be released without beefed-up safeguards for the public, MPs say.
Developed by NHSX, the digital arm of the health service, the app is currently being trialled on the Isle of Wight, with a view to full UK roll-out if it is successful.
It logs the movements of users and can alert those who have had contact with someone who has developed symptoms of Covid-19.
UK ministers say it could help ease lockdown restrictions but concerns over surveillance have been raised by some privacy campaign groups and cybersecurity experts.
Now a committee of MPs says it could breach data protection and human rights laws and must not be released without significant changes.
These include legal safeguards on data collection and usage, the establishment of new independent oversight processes and regular reviews of its efficacy by the Health Secretary at 21 day intervals.
Failure to do this, it says, could result in the unjustifiable "violation of fundamental rights".
Harriet Harman, who chairs the Joint Committee on Human Rights, said: “Assurances from ministers about privacy are not enough. The government has given assurances about protection of privacy so they should have no objection to those assurances being enshrined in law.
"The contact tracing app involves unprecedented data gathering. There must be robust legal protection for individuals about what that data will be used for, who will have access to it and how it will be safeguarded from hacking.
"Parliament was able quickly to agree to give the government sweeping powers. It is perfectly possible for parliament to do the same for legislation to protect privacy.”
Downing Street said "security and privacy" had been prioritised during the app's development.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "Users can delete the app and its data whenever they want and we will always comply with relevant laws, including the Data Protection Act."
Responding to reports about officials considering the possibility of a switch from the NHS app to an international standard proposed by Google and Apple, the spokesman said the current approach was still being followed but other options were always considered.
"We have set out our plans for a centralised model and that's what we are taking forward, but we will keep all options under review to make sure that the app is as effective as possible."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel