Providing information, self-assessment clues, and even remote healthcare and contact tracing, mobile apps are becoming a key element in the response to coronavirus.
As social distancing and confinement strategies implemented worldwide call for new ways of communication, both public authorities and private initiatives are increasingly making use of apps to reach the population.
Mobile apps are indeed bridging the distance between citizens and organisations, but also have a potentially crucial role in tackling the next phase of coronavirus response. Contact tracing and tracking apps have become popular in East Asia and are credited for part of their success containing the virus. Currently, the approach varies throughout different societies, with a trend towards favouring these apps in support of public health authorities.
In our latest document, we analyse 108 apps in 73 countries, categorising them in five clusters: informational apps; self-assessment/medical reporting apps; contact tracing apps; multi-purpose apps and other COVID-19-related-apps. The document also looks into the spread of fake apps, and different malware and disinformation, together with some considerations on data privacy in Europe.