France’s Covid app was particularly used by UK and German visitors
Analysis shows over six million downloads onto foreign phones - some people miss the TousAntiCovid app
As many as one in 10 downloads of France’s TousAntiCovid app came from foreign stores, particularly in the UK and Germany
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About 8%-10% of downloads of France’s TousAntiCovid app, which was paused at the end of June, came from abroad, especially the UK and Germany, it has been revealed.
The app was launched in 2020 after the first wave of the pandemic, initially under the name StopCovid, to track positive cases of the virus and their contacts.
App generated travel certificates needed to enter France
It took off during the second wave by generating the ‘travel certificates’ required to enter countries with Covid border restrictions. It was expanded again with the introduction of the health pass in the summer of 2021, followed by the vaccination pass in 2022.
At the start of February, the app had been downloaded 62.9 million times, its developer Lunabee Studio told BFM-TV.
As many as one in 10 downloads came from foreign stores, particularly in the UK and Germany, it said.
Read more: Boost in US, Canadian and Asian visitors to France this summer
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Some said it infringed personal freedoms
The Ministry of Health officially suspended app updates from June 30.
However, users are still able to access their ‘wallet’ and store test and/or vaccination certificates, with further information about Covid-19 provided on the Ministry of Health and Santé Publique France websites.
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“The initial objectives of the application have been met,” the ministry said in a press release.
The app was not without controversy and was accused from the outset of infringing personal freedoms. However, some feel that its pause is misjudged.
‘Covid is still out there’
One Connexion reader told us: “It helped distinguish France’s approach to the pandemic from what became the laissez-faire attitude that characterised the UK.
“I also miss the detailed information it provided, which somehow felt reassuring, even at the height of the pandemic.
“And we need hardly remind ourselves that Covid is still out there.”
Do you agree? Email news@connexionfrance.com to share your thoughts on the app.
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