Radar COVID

Spain’s COVID-19 contact-tracing app

Radar COVID was the Spanish government’s official mobile app for automated COVID-19 contact tracing. Its purpose was to alert users if they had been in close contact with someone who tested positive, using anonymous codes exchanged through Bluetooth Low Energy. The app stopped operating on October 9, 2022.

How it worked

The app used Bluetooth Low Energy to exchange random codes between nearby devices without collecting personal or location data. When a user tested positive, health care staff provided an anonymous diagnosis code. If the user voluntarily entered it in the app, a notification was sent to recorded contacts. The system did not identify the user or track their location.

Integration and reach

Radar COVID was integrated with the health systems of all of Spain’s autonomous communities. Its use was anonymous, secure, confidential, and voluntary.

Contact

For suggestions, improvements, or security bug reports, the app listed soporte.radarcovid@economia.gob.es. Security reports were to include “SECURITY” in the subject line.