Germany’s regional data protection agency is launching a probe into Apple due to recent procedures that include temperature checks for COVID-19 (via Bloomberg).
Health Probe for Apple Stores
On Monday Apple started reopening its retail stores in Germany and included mandatory safety procedures like temperature checks and social distancing of six feet between people.
Ulrike Muller, a spokesperson for the Hessian Data Protection Commissioner, said that the agency wants to know if these temperature checks violate applicable data protection rules. The agency is coordinating with other data protection authorities in Germany, and the results of the probe have yet to be determined.
Further Reading
[Sofia Coppola is Creating a Book Adaptation Series for Apple]
[‘Many’ Apple Stores to Reopen, Company Retail Chief Tells Employees]
“Ulrike Muller, a spokesperson for the Hessian Data Protection Commissioner, said that the agency wants to know if these temperature checks violate applicable data protection rules.”
What, are they going to record the temperatures and sell the data to marketers?
Meanwhile in San Diego https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/have-a-high-temperature-youre-not-welcome-inside/2323277/
If they’re using handheld devices, it’s not an issue. If they’re using some of the more advanced temperature scanning systems, those systems save video of the people, so that high-temperature folks can be identified. That may run afoul of GDPR and possibly privacy rules.