Security News > 2020 > October > UK test-and-trace coronavirus data may be handed to police to nab those who aren't self-isolating as required

As if things were not going badly enough for the UK's COVID-19 test-and-trace service, it now seems police will be able to access some test data, prompting fears the disclosure could deter people who should have tests from coming forward.

As revealed in the Health Service Journal [paywall], the Department for Health and Social Care and the National Police Chiefs' Council have agreed that officers can access test results to determine whether or not a "Specific individual" has been told to self-isolate.

A spokesperson for doctors union the British Medical Association said: "For the test and trace system to be effective it needs to have the full confidence of the public, with transparency about the appropriate and secure use of their data. We are already concerned that some people are deterred from being tested because they are anxious about loss of income should they need to self-isolate - and we are worried should police involvement add to this."

It has emerged that people in line for a coronavirus test were sent to a site in Sevenoaks, Kent, where no test centre existed, according to reports.

Despite concerns about test-and-trace performance, the private sector service provider Serco increased its annual revenue guidance to £3.9bn from £3.7bn and underlying trading profit to £165m. Serco said its part in the test and trace programme was "Limited and specific." .

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2020/10/19/uk_test_and_trace_data/