Using Technology to support Administrations in controlling the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

Considering the restrictive measures adopted in Italy, as in many other countries, to contain the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic, the authors analyse how technological tools can support controls on private activities; and how technological tools can effectively support the activities of public administrations. In this perspective, the authors’ attention focuses on some technological solutions used to help deal with the SARS-CoV-2 emergency, including the Immuni app created in 2020 by the Italian government. The author concludes that, to make such technological solutions truly effective, they must be widely spread among the population. Regarding the European rules on privacy and applying the principle of proportionality, the authors, therefore, investigate whether and under what conditions national authorities can impose the download of an app to citizens. The last paragraphs also account for the most recent developments related to the adoption of the EU Regulation of July 2021 on a framework for the issuance, verification and acceptance of COVID-19 Certificates.