[FSFE PR][EN] Any Corona tracking app must be used voluntarily and be Free Software

press at fsfe.org press at fsfe.org
Thu Apr 2 13:07:19 UTC 2020


 = Any Corona tracking app must be used voluntarily and be Free Software =

[ Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/2020/news-20200402-02.en.html ]

The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) demands that the use of
tracking technologies that aim at breaking the chains of disease
infection may only be promoted on a voluntary basis, fundamental rights
must be respected and the software must be published under a Free
Software licence.

In the last days there have been increasing debates about the use and
development of apps that aim at helping to contain the corona virus, by
tracking new infections and their contact persons. With the help of a
contact diary it is possible to record who met with whom and when. If a
person is infected with the corona virus, their contacts are informed
and asked to isolate themselves and to take further actions, if
necessary. It will be hopefully possible to break the chain of infection
and thus reduce the infection rate. In some countries, there are also
discussions about a mandatory use of this app, which would interfere on
people's right to control their technology and thus their privacy.

The Free Software Foundation Europe demands that any such app may only
be introduced on a voluntary basis and the software must be published
under a Free Software licence, sometimes also called Open Source. Any
medical records and data must be placed under the highest priority of
data protection. Only Free Software offers enough transparency to
validate a complete data protection and a compliant use, thus trust can
be established. Not to forget that a majority of investments in the
current crisis and a lot of actors in the medical sector are state-
funded, and publicly financed software developed for the public sector
must be made publicly available under Free Software licences [1], as
hundreds of organisations and tens of thousands of people demand.

Global problems need global solutions and it is only Free Software that
enables global code development cooperation in a legally safe
environment. Any proprietary solution will lead inevitably to countless
isolated solutions and thereby waste energy and time.

Besides global cooperation, Free Software licences allow sharing of code
in any jurisdiction. Solutions developed in one country can be reused
and adpated in another one. International development agencies and
humanitarian movements can help to contain the spread of COVID-19 in any
country around the world with Free Software solutions.

Discuss this [2]

 1: https://publiccode.eu/
 2: https://community.fsfe.org/t/any-corona-tracking-app-must-be-used-voluntarily-and-be-free-software/416

  == About the Free Software Foundation Europe ==

  Free Software Foundation Europe is a charity that empowers users to
  control technology. Software is deeply involved in all aspects of our
  lives; and it is important that this technology empowers rather than
  restricts us. Free Software gives everybody the rights to use,
  understand, adapt and share software. These rights help support other
  fundamental freedoms like freedom of speech, press and privacy.

  The FSFE helps individuals and organisations to understand how Free
  Software contributes to freedom, transparency, and self-determination.
  It enhances users' rights by abolishing barriers to Free Software
  adoption, encourage people to use and develop Free Software, and
  provide resources to enable everyone to further promote Free Software
  in Europe.

  http://fsfe.org


More information about the Press-release mailing list