ETSI has released its first report, GR E4P 002, which characterizes and compares a representative series of existing digital contact-tracing apps from the United States to Japan. The study provides a comparative analysis of various tracing methods and protocols while outlining specific technical challenges that must be addressed to achieve global interoperability. ETSI’s E4P Industry Specification Group plans to next define general requirements for these solutions, analyze smartphone device mechanisms, and specify back-end system needs. The ultimate goal is to establish a reference framework that enables interoperable applications to serve citizens across borders during future pandemics.
Keywords: pandemic contact-tracing, privacy-preserving, interoperability, digital tracing methods, cross-border mobility