To exploit fully the potential of mobile proximity contact tracing and warning apps to break the chain of coronavirus infections and save lives, the Commission is setting up an interoperability gateway service linking national apps across the EU. On September 14, an important milestone has been reached as a group of Member States started testing the infrastructure. The Commission has kicked off test runs between the backend servers of the official apps from the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Latvia, and a newly established gateway server.
On May 7, PSCE delivered a webinar focused on this topic, where it explored the potential that mobile apps have to enhance contact tracing strategies to contain and reverse the spread of COVID-19. The virtual event featured Mr Peter Eberl Deputy Head of Cybersecurity and Digital Privacy Unit in DG CNECT, who delivered an introduction on the EU guidance.
Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Single Market, said: “Many Member States have implemented national contact tracing and warning applications. It is now time to make them interact with each other. Travel and personal exchange are the core of the European project and the Single Market. The gateway will facilitate this in these times of pandemic and will save lives.”