UK develops virus contact-tracing app despite privacy fears

London: A smartphone app developed by Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) could be rolled out within three weeks, its technology chief said on Tuesday, despite privacy concerns.

Matthew Gould, head of the state-run service’s digital innovation arm NHSX, said the in-house app — reportedly favoured over similar software developed by Google and Apple — would be trialled in a small area to gauge its effectiveness.

The government last week said the app and a wider testing regime would help to prevent a second wave of infection when stringent restrictions are eventually lifted.