On May 18th, a coalition of high-profile digital rights organisations released an open letter asking for answers about government plans to build a sprawling COVID datastore. The proposed datastore would have been a partnership with for-profit organisations like Amazon and Palantir.

The open letter was signed by the Open Knowledge Foundation, Privacy International, openDemocracy, Big Brother Watch, Open Rights Group and 22 other civil society organisations and advocates. “Emergencies require rapid responses, but these responses should also be appropriate, lawful and just,” it read. “We understand the need for better health information, but maintain that the public should be consulted throughout the development.”

A recent opinion poll revealed that an overwhelming majority want any coronavirus contact-tracing app to take account of civil liberties and people’s privacy. The Survation poll found widespread support for the introduction of a contact-tracing app at 65 per cent, but 91 per cent of respondents said it is important that any app takes account of civil liberties and protects people’s privacy.

Now, a new COVID tracing app claims to have answered the growing public concern about data privacy. Created in New Zealand, the Kontakkt Space app is modeled on the very successful government app “NZ COVID Tracer” which helped the country reach zero cases on COVID19 on June 9th – a position it held for 2 weeks since.

“As a citizen, data privacy is really important to me” said the chief developer Kontakkt Space, Saikat G. “It bothered me to see my contact details left open to misuse. But the tracing record is important too, because if another visitor at the same shop or office does fall sick I’d like to be informed and self-isolate.” The app does not store any personal data on its servers, relying instead of self-regulation by users to submit accurate information about themselves.

The data file is only stored on the user’s own phone, cannot be used without their express consent, and is deleted automatically when no longer required. “It is in the user’s interest to be alerted about a potential case of COVID19 at some place they have recently visited. So it makes sense to trust their own self-interest in entering the correct contact details.” say the developers.

Users seem to agree, with the app quickly having moved up the rankings to reach #5 amongst all productivity apps on Google Play in the US within a week of its launch.

“People can decide what’s good for them – that’s the founding principle of every democracy. Why should a contact-tracing software be different?” says the developers, signing off.