NHSX scraps centralised model for Covid-19 app
In a huge win for digital privacy, in June 2020 the UK Government scrapped plans to use a centralised model for its Covid-19 tracker app, opting for the decentralised model long advocated by Open Rights Group (ORG).
Vital funding from members and supporters enabled ORG to deliver key legal demands that helped convince the Government their centralised model was a privacy disaster.
The UK has averted the creation of a massive database of sensitive personal data that could be handed over to American Big Data companies vying for NHS patients’ data.
Not out of the woods yet
Even with the centralised model off the table, concerns remain. Employers may try to force people to use the app, and it’s not entirely clear whether Bluetooth matching is sufficiently accurate to track individuals’ exposure to the virus.
The Government also needs to do more to make people feel they should follow the app’s advice to get a test or isolate.
For these reasons, ORG will continue to push for a Coronavirus Safeguards Bill and challenge the Government on its very poor privacy practice elsewhere, such as with their manual Track and Trace programme.
The Story So Far
First look at vaccine passports
Countries around the world are considering introducing vaccine passports, and the UK is among them.ICO enforcement: two years after the GDPR
On Tuesday, the Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham will appear in front of the DCMS Committee for a hearing, where she will be questioned about her office’s role in protecting personal data against targeted online advertising, and the use of personal data for tackling the coronavirus pandemic.NHS App users get privacy; other visitors get nothing
Today the Government launched its England and Wales COVID App, and its new rules to ensure that bars and restaurants keep records of customers who visit.NHSX App delayed, but data protection still MIA
It finally happened: NHSX came to realise the issues surrounding their contact tracing app, and decided to switch to a decentralised approach.NHSX App: no news is bad news
Amid some confusion, reports would indicate that the NHSX contact tracing app may be released nationwide in less than two weeks.The ICO we want
Last week, Open Rights Group (ORG) found out that the Information Rights tribunal ceased their general stay.Demand strong legal safeguards for Contact Tracing
The NHSX is currently testing their digital contact tracing app in the Isle of Wight, and is set to release it nation-wide sometime soon.Something is rotten in the Information Commissioner’s Office
The COVID-19 test and trace system immediately hit the news for its dubious privacy policy, as well as the lack of a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA).NHSX tracking app Privacy Assessment: Key Concerns
NHSX finally released the Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) for their contact tracing app at the weekend.Hostile environment may stop migrants from using NHSX tracker app
This week the Government confirmed that the NHSX app being developed as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic is using a centralised contact matching system.Time for a Coronavirus Safeguards Bill
While we pause our weekly online discussions, we’ll keep you informed here on the fast moving debate over digital privacy and Covid-19.Contact tracing apps & vulnerable migrants: key concerns
In our recent blog we discussed the emerging privacy issues around contact tracing and ‘immunity passports’, and the announcement from Google and Apple that they are jointly working on a contact tracing app.Contact tracing and immunity passports must respect privacy
The government’s plans for contact tracing and immunity passports should respect privacy, both at a technical level and backed by legal safeguards.Contact tracing and immunity passports: questions for the government
We continue to hear bits and pieces about the way that mobile apps may be developed, and about the possibilities that Immunity Passports might come with intrusive database projects.Democracy and Covid-19
The Covid 19 epidemic has disrupted our economic and social life unlike anything seen in peacetime.The government must explain its approach to mobile contact tracing
Mobile data and contact tracing is a hot topic, as the UK and EU develop projects to provide privacy-protecting means of understanding who is at risk of infection.Open tech, privacy and Covid-19
From enabling strategies to curb the virus to empowering individuals to connect and work from home, digital technology is playing a vital role in the COVID-19 epidemic.In the Coronavirus crisis, privacy will be compromised—but our right to know must not be
At Open Rights Group (ORG), we want the government to succeed in its pursuit of the eradication of Coronvirus COVID-19.More Information
07 April, 2020
COVID-19 and personal data: April briefing
This briefing provides an overview of Open Rights Group’s concerns about the Government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Find Out More
02 April, 2020
Joint civil society statement: States use of digital surveillance technologies to fight pandemic must respect human rights
2 April 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is a global public health emergency that requires a coordinated and large-scale response by governments worldwide.
Find Out More
Press Releases
12 April, 2021
Government’s approach to NHS COVID-19 App is both a Privacy nightmare and a public health risk
Responding to news that an update to England and Wales’s contact tracing app has been blocked for breaking the terms of an agreement made with Apple and Google, Jim Killock, the Executive Director of the Open Rights Group, said:
“The Government’s proposed changes to the NHS App would have a significant impact on user privacy.
Find Out More
04 March, 2021
Test and Trace is a privacy nightmare and a public health risk
Responding to the Sky News report that the check-in data from hundreds of millions of people who visited pubs, restaurants, and hairdressers between lockdowns was barely used by England’s ‘Test and Trace’ programme, Jim Killock, the Executive Director of Open Rights Group, said:
“The Government has repeatedly denied that it has any responsibilities for the data collected.
Find Out More
18 June, 2020
APP SWITCH IS WIN FOR PRIVACY
Open Rights Group welcomes the Government’s decision to switch to a ‘decentralised’ contact matching App, in the fight against COVID-19.
Find Out More
05 June, 2020
ICO “stay” on Tribunal lifted
Open Rights Group welcomes the lifting of the ‘ICO stay‘ on the Information Tribunal, which means that complaints against organisations failing to uphold data protection rights can now be pursued.
Find Out More
05 June, 2020
“Tracking app” wil be released at the end of June
Jim Killock, Executive Director of Open Rights Group, commenting on the Government’s announcement that the “tracking app” wil be released at the end of June, said:
“The App needs safeguards in law to prevent it being abused before it is released.
Find Out More
04 June, 2020
ORG demands Government act to secure ‘Track and Trace’ data
NHS Test and Trace has been launched, in breach of data protection laws.
Find Out More
28 May, 2020
NHSX app must gain the trust of marginalised groups
A group of civil society organisations and privacy advocates have written to the government to demand that protections are put in place so that the NHSX Tracking app can gain the trust of people in marginalised groups.
Find Out More
05 May, 2020
NHS app lacks privacy “due diligence”
Open Rights Group’s lawyers, AWO, have written to Matt Hancock and NHSX to demand immediate confirmation that they will conduct a full and adequate Data Protection Impact Assessment, consult with the ICO and publish the results.
Find Out More
28 April, 2020
NHS app may suffer basic usability issues
Reacting to NHSX’s Chief Executive’s announcement to Parliament that their contact-tracing app would be released next month, Open Rights Group’s Executive Director said it was still unclear how the app would be both usable, and avoid using new Google-Apple APIs.
Find Out More
24 April, 2020
Please explain how NHS app will work, asks Open Rights Group
Reacting to NHSX’s announcement that “in the coming weeks, the NHS will be launching a contact-tracing app”, Open Rights Group’s Executive Director said that transparency over the app was paramount.
Find Out More
27 March, 2020
NHS Must Explain Role Of Surveillance Company
PALANTIR HAS NEGATIVE REPUTATION—CAUTION AND TRANSPARENCY NEEDED
Reacting to news that surveillance company Palantir is in discussion with the NHS to “clean” and analyse bulk health data, including tracking of spare beds, ventilators and calls to 111.
Find Out More