COVID-19 privacy news (w/e 15th May)

Here are the latest stories on how the COVID-19 outbreak has affected privacy:

6th May:

• NHSX contract-tracing DPIA
• Financial Times (paywall) reveals that the UK has hired a Swiss firm to investigate switching its NHS contract-tracing app to the Google-Apple model.
• Time Magazine reports European Commission Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager has said COVID-19 is an opportunity to contribute something useful.
• IAPP article tackles the centralised vs decentralised debate over contact-tracing privacy.

7th May:

• BBC News report NHS has released contact-tracing app source code.
• The Guardian reveals government told UK contact-tracing app could fall foul of privacy law.
• Channel4 News watch 3-minute report on privacy and data protection concerns of Isle of Wight NHS app trial.
• The Guardian reports that the UK may abandon NHS contact-tracing app for Apple and Google model.
• Open Rights Group claim the hostile environment could prevent migrants from using NSHX contract-tracing app.
• Politico reports British company in talks with the UK government to develop immunity passports for recovered COVID-19 patients.
• IAPP article on contact tracing apps: Why tech solutionism and privacy by design are not enough.
• EDPS Wojciech Wiewiórowski exchanges views with the LIBE Members on the use of personal data in the fight against Covid-19.
• EDPS outlines contact-tracing.

8th May:

• EDPS outlines action plan in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
• The Guardian reveals Isle of Wight reaction to NHS app 'What have we got to lose?'
• The Guardian published an excellent 5-minute video on how contact tracing can help beat the Covid-19 pandemic.
• IAPP publishes article about how to protect privacy on COVID-19 surveillance apps.

9th May:

• EDPS and EDPB trainees share views on the future of the EU post COVID-19.

10th May:

• The National reveals privacy campaigners have welcomed Scotland's caution towards coronavirus app.

11th May:

• Amnesty International writes to the Northern Ireland Executive over concerns different contact-tracing systems operating across NI and ROI could create problems in limiting the spread of COVID-19. 

12th May:

• ICO issues COVID-19 workplace testing guidelines. 
• Computer Weekly report that Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights proposes legislation to provide formal oversight of the UK's Covid-19 contact tracing app.
• Listen to The Guardian's podcast discussing whether the government's new Track and trace app will work.
• Digital Health survey reveals its reader's opinions on NHS contact-tracing app.

13th May:

• European Commission issue guidelines for contact tracing app interoperability.
• Open Rights Group outline their key concerns with the NHSX contact-tracing app DPIA.
• IAPP discuss privacy questions for COVID-19 testing and health monitoring.
• Reuters reports how the EU urges voluntary use of virus-tracing apps.
• EURACTIV reveals that the European Commission is looking to obtain the 'largest possible participation' of EU citizens for COVID-19 apps.

14th May:

• European Parliament MEPs stress the need to preserve citizens' privacy while using contact-tracing apps during plenary session.
• The Register reports how the NHS contact tracing app isn't anonymous, is riddled with bugs, and is open to abuse.