[ad_1]
DThe federal government has three different technical concepts for the intended Corona application. This stems from a government response to a written question from Anke Domscheit-Berg (left), a member of the Bundestag. Subsequently, the government not only “looks and evaluates” the concept of the European initiative PEPP-PT, which works on a central approach to data storage, but also the rival DP3T approach, which is based on decentralized storage. The government is also evaluating the solution from the consulting firm Accenture used in Austria.
In a first test of a concept for a Corona application with the help of the German Armed Forces, the Federal Government had still relied on the PEPP-PT concept, which had been developed by 130 European scientists, including researchers from the Robert Koch Institute. However, the PEPP-PT project had come under fire in recent days in a heated debate over an appropriate concept of data protection.
Several well-known institutes and scientists abandoned PEPP-PT, including the Helmholtz Center for Information Security and Swiss epidemiologist Marcel Salathé. They accused PEPP-PT of lack of transparency and of wanting to suppress a public debate on the correct approach to a crown application.
Voluntary base, without location data
Around 300 experts also signed an open letter warning of the risk of surveillance and misuse if data is stored centrally. Most of them support the DP3T concept, which is also endorsed by the TCN Coalition. The TCN Coalition grew out of several federal government hackathon projects #WirVsVirus.
In response to the request, the federal government emphasized that it was only considering using the crown tracking app on a voluntary basis. Digital models and applications would have to comply with the requirements of the data protection law, for which data processing is based on consent. Location data should also not be collected.
In addition, the highest possible IT security standards should be observed, and stakeholder information should be provided anonymously. In addition, the model should be user-friendly and technically appropriate to allow follow-up of epidemiologically traceable contacts.
The dispute is criticized by business associations
Domscheit-Berg, the spokesperson for the left-wing parliamentary group in the Bundestag, welcomed that “contrary to previous public statements, the federal government is not only taking into account the increasingly controversial PEPP-PT variant, which is based on central data synchronization, but also in a proprietary application used in Austria DP3T decentralized and openly designed. “
The federal government should take the recommendations of the EU Commission and the EU Parliament seriously and only follow the decentralized approach, the dpa’s Domscheit-Berg said. “Because only open source availability, full transparency in the development process, and decentralized data synchronization ensure that data protection is adequately considered.” Only with this procedure the quality and acceptance of the application would be so high that it would effectively contain the pandemic. could contribute
The expert dispute over the best data protection concept for the planned Corona app was criticized by digital associations Bitkom and BVDW. It is important not to delay app development further through lengthy academic discussions, said IT association Bitkom president Achim Berg, the “Handelsblatt”. It is not important if the application is based on a central or decentralized architecture; both can be implemented in accordance with data protection.
“It is essential that the various national applications work well together and enjoy a high level of trust among the population.”
Politicians, business and science are called to “create trust and transparency so that they use as many people as possible.” “We need this app now and we shouldn’t waste any more time.”