Global Pandemic App Watch (GPAW)

Finland

Koronavilkku

History and Context of Koronavilkku

Koronavilkku, meaning Corona Blinker in Finnish, was launched on the App Store and Google Play store on August 31st, 2020 following a 12-day pilot program involving a few dozen test users in Helsinki. According to the developers, the goal of the app is to “increase the efficiency in breaking the chains of transmission.” The app will notify contacts who were within 2 meters of the infected user for 10 minutes or more. The source code of the App is published openly to help with a transparent technical evaluation of the app. It is currently available in Finnish and Swedish and will be available in English.

App-Specific Legislation

An act has been passed that is specific to the purpose of the app, the powers related to it, and the processing of personal data. The Finnish Parliament made a temporary amendment to the Finish Law on Contagous Diseases that allows the informaion collected by the app to only be used to track COVID-19 transmission and stored for only as long as is absolutely necessary. It also specifies the type of information that may be collected. It includes (1) pseudonymized user identification; (2) pseudonymized identification of the users that the user has met with and necessary related information regarding the duration and time of the meeting and the strength of the Bluetooth signal; (3) pseudonymized identification of users who have reported themselves as infected; (4) information received by the user regarding possible exposure; and (5) the user’s name, telephone number, home municipality, and, as needed, temporary residence, as well as information provided by the user as a part of a request for contact. The information must be deleted within 21 days of collection. This amendment remains in force until March 31st, 2021 unless extended.

Stats and Facts

Downloads:

2.2 Million

Uptake (% of population):

40

Developers:

Solita Oy

Technology:

Bluetooth

Architecture:

Decentralized

Voluntariness:

Voluntary

Alerts or Notifications Sent:

No Data

Implementation and Testing:

Implemented

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Disclaimer

The information available has been gathered from news reports,  publicly available documents, and scholarly literature. Its accuracy is therefore subject to change. The information contained on this page is not globally comprehensive as the research team is constrained by language and geographical barriers.  Please use this information responsibly and contact us with any questions.

COVID-19 Update in Finland

Total Cases: 35858
New Cases: 438 per Day
Total Deaths: 556
New Deaths: 6 per Day
Last Updated: December 31, 2020