Norway to halt COVID-19 track and trace app on data protection concerns

The app was introduced by some Norwegian authorities to limit the transmission of the coronavirus.

The data protection watchdog said on Friday that considering the low spread of the infection, among other issues, collecting data through the app could no longer could be seen as reasonable amid privacy concerns. (AP)

Norway will halt its COVID-19 track and trace app and delete all data collected so far after criticism from the Norwegian Data Protection Authority, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) said on Monday.

The data protection watchdog said on Friday that considering the low spread of the infection, among other issues, collecting data through the app could no longer could be seen as reasonable amid privacy concerns.

"We don't agree with the DPA's evaulation, but feel it is necessary to delete all data and put work on hold as a result of this," NIPH said in a statement.

"We will as a result weaken an important part of our preparedness against a spread in infection, as we now lose time for development and testing of the app."