= Any Corona tracking app must be used voluntarily and be Free Software =
[ Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/2020/news-20200402-02.sk.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-voluntaril...
== 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.