Eleven different infection tracking apps in both Europe and the Middle East have been reviewed by the organization. Norway, Bahrain and Kuwaits had the three worst apps when it comes to data collection, writes Amnesty international.
"Bahrain, Kuwait and Norway have run over human integrity, with highly invasive surveillance tools that go far beyond what is justified in efforts to address COVID-19," said Claudio Guarnieri at Amnesty in the press release.
Pulls back the appAmnesty is critical to apps that track users in real time via the phones GPS and upload the information to a central database. The data can easily be connected to individuals because the applications require identification in different ways, in Norway's case a telephone number, the organization believes.
Hours before Amnesty's review was published, Norway withdrew the app Smittestopp and will now revise it.
The human rights organization writes in a press release that the decision is a big victory.
However, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg defends the app, saying it could become important in the future if a new outbreak flares up, but emphasizes that FHI, Norway's equivalent to the Public Health Authority, must make several changes.
- I think we need to be able to have the app going forward, but the Public Health Institute should see if they can make changes to the one that makes it more in line with what the Data Inspectorate can accept, she tells NTB.
Scientists warnMany countries have used various digital solutions and apps as part of the fight against corona spread.
But at the same time, several researchers have also warned that infection-tracking apps can pose threats to human rights.