17/06/2020 (Agence Europe) – At least two national data protection authorities are concerned about the use by public authorities of advanced digital technologies to monitor the spread of Covid-19. The French CNIL and the Belgian ODA recall that the general data protection regulation prohibits in principle the processing of health data, except in a very limited number of exceptions listed in Article 9.2. In France, the CNIL points to the planned use of so-called ‘intelligent’ cameras and thermal cameras in public spaces or places open to the public, such as shops, transport or workplaces. In Belgium, ODA contacted Brussels airport about rumours involving sophisticated temperature scanners, which would identify people with fever and then submit a questionnaire about possible coronavirus-related symptoms. (SPj)