Voices on the Corona warning app

Ana Goldscheider studied journalism and corporate communication in Hamburg and is now completing additional training as an editor. In a medical editorial office, she writes texts for print magazines and, among other things.

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The German citizens can now also use their cell phones to contain the corona pandemic. The government is counting on many to participate - even if the number of infections is currently low.

In the fight against the corona virus, a state warning app is now also supposed to help in Germany - especially in view of the further relaxation of everyday restrictions (more information on the corona warning app is available here). The federal government launched the application for smartphones on Tuesday for voluntary download for all citizens and is building on widespread use.

The app is "not a free ticket, but an important additional tool in the pandemic," said Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU). In public transport, for example, there is now increasing "anonymous closeness" to other people. Doctors and business associations also advertised the new app. Reminders continued to come with a view to data protection.

"A big step in the fight against pandemics"

Chancellery chief Helge Braun (CDU) said that downloading and using the app is "a small step for each of us, but a big step in fighting the pandemic". It is not the first Corona app worldwide to be presented, but the best. Citizens could count on high data protection standards.

The Rhineland-Palatinate Prime Minister Malu Dreyer (SPD) also calls for the new Corona app to be downloaded. She already sees Carnival 2021 in danger. A new wave of corona infections could come at any time. A second shutdown must be avoided. Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) emphasized voluntariness as an essential prerequisite for the app to be accepted.

Better protection on buses, trains and on vacation

Spahn made it clear that the app is now suitable for further corona easing - and to secure the low number of infections. At demonstrations, in buses and trains, there is increasing proximity to unknown other people. The app enables messages to be sent to people who otherwise could never have been informed. The app can help to warn contact persons more quickly that every hour is a gain. In doing so, they are not substituting for sensible behavior. It remains important to keep your distance and sometimes wear everyday masks.

The district council emphasized that it was still crucial to track contacts by the health authorities. It is therefore important that the supplementary app and its processes support the work of the offices and do not pose new difficulties. This must also be taken into account with software updates. In the worst case, health authorities would otherwise be the last to be informed and would face calls from concerned citizens with cell phone warnings.

Third parties have no access rights

The Federal Data Protection Officer Ulrich Kelber said he saw no reason to speak against installing the app. "But there are still weak points." Above all, he is bothered by a procedure in which users receive a TAN number from a telephone hotline in order to enter positive test results in the app. In no case is it permissible for third parties to request insight into the app, said Kelber. "I can only urgently warn the owners of shops or public transport: don't even try!" The Greens are pushing for a supplementary app law. The government thinks this is unnecessary.

The effect across borders is even better

In addition to the government, there were other calls to use the app - for example from Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The trade association recommended this to customers and employees, the hospital company to the clinic staff. Medical President Klaus Reinhardt told the German Press Agency: "This is a very useful instrument." Of course, the app only works if you can win over as many people as possible to participate. "It would work even better if the system could be made viable across borders in Europe."

In the future, the corona apps of the EU countries should also be able to exchange information with one another and thus enable the contact tracing of infected people across national borders. Germany and other countries agreed on this, as announced by the EU Commission. This includes all countries whose apps rely on decentralized data storage. In addition to Germany, there are around 15 other EU countries. (ag / dpa)

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