Head of Research Matthew Lesh welcomes the news that the government is to abandon its home-made app in favour of working with Apple and Google to provide a decentralised contact tracing app with fewer privacy concerns and greater effectiveness:

“We have lost crucial time, but it is welcome that the Government has listened to public concerns to get this important project right. It was always folly for NHSX to try building an app from scratch. Despite assertions, it was never going to work as well or ensure privacy would be protected as the Apple-Google framework. The decentralised, Apple-Google approach will protect privacy, work across borders, limit battery drain, and effectively work in the background. A more effective app will help protect the NHS and save lives as winter approaches.”

To arrange an interview or further comment please contact Matt Kilcoyne on 07904099599 or email matt@adamsmith.org