European countries including Germany, Italy and the Netherlands have opted for or are considering technical standards for these apps that are developed by Apple and Google. The movement toward Apple and Google in Europe is being driven in part by the same officials who previously have gone after U.S. tech giants over privacy concerns and other issues. Margrethe Vestager, the European Commission's competition czar, has long tangled with Apple and Google on anticompetitive concerns. Apple and Google declined to comment on any specific country's efforts or apps. Phones running Bluetooth contact-tracing systems, like the one designed by Apple and Google, emit a unique ID number that changes frequently.

Source: Wall Street Journal May 17, 2020 12:11 UTC