Sunday April 18, 2021
QR code on the wrist
“Paper ticket cannot be a solution”
A model project started in Tübingen in March: If you get a negative test, you get a wristband with a QR code and can go to cafes and cinemas. Doctor Box is behind the software. In an interview, founder Miltner explains why the data is safe and whether the software can also be used elsewhere.
Doctor Box is a digital health platform. Can you briefly introduce the app in an elevator pitch?
Oliver Miltner: I am an orthopedic surgeon and trauma surgeon. I know the problem well from my practice: Many patients come to treatment with no or very incomplete results. Doctor Box is a digital health platform that stores and organizes all important data and documents in a central location: X-rays, blood values or the vaccination certificate. In this way you can keep an overview of everything yourself and doctors: inside can treat optimally. In addition, you can have your own health history displayed in a timeline, be reminded of taking medication or the next doctor’s appointment. The data is stored in encrypted form so that nobody has external access to it.
Doctor Box has now launched a rapid test software on the market: How did the idea come about?
With the digital health platform, we have already been able to guarantee the infrastructure and the extremely high level of data protection that the processing of health data requires. So we have a long history of expertise in this area. With the beginning of the corona pandemic, it was clear that software solutions were needed that on the one hand optimize the processes in the test center and at the same time take the issue of data protection seriously. With the rapid test-to-go software, we can offer a secure solution that also makes an important contribution to the detection of chains of infection.
People who tested negatively receive a wristband with a QR code. Can you briefly explain the principle?
People can be tested in the test centers and receive an individual QR code, which is read into the Doctor Box app. So you can get the test result immediately after the evaluation. The test result can also be queried via the webpage without an app. Depending on their needs, for example at events, tested people receive an individual QR code, which is worn as a ribbon around the wrist. This code is valid for 24 hours, for example, during which time this person can safely go to restaurants or to cultural and sporting events. However, the principle does not necessarily have to do with openings. It is also possible to use the ribbon in such a way that people are protected even when there is a high incidence, for example on public transport. The QR code can then be easily scanned by the bus driver: inside using the smartphone with the photo app and you can see immediately whether the result is negative.
The software is used, for example, by the city of Tübingen. What convinced the city of your rapid test software?
As a model project, Tübingen began to test a lot early on. When the first opening steps were taken with the day ticket, it quickly became clear that the paper ticket, which had to be filled in by hand, could not be a permanent solution. Our solution with the admission band and QR code was immediately convincing due to the speed but also the protection against forgery.
The subject of data protection plays a major role in Germany. What data can be seen when the code is scanned?
The QR code on the ribbon only shows whether you tested positive or negative and where and when the test was taken. This is very important: you never have a connection between personal data and test results, which is always a risk for data protection.
What is being done to protect consumer privacy?
A verification is carried out in the test center, in which you have to provide your personal data in order to be tested. These data are only stored temporarily and locally. If the test result is positive, it will be sent to the local health department. If the result is negative, the data will be deleted immediately. The bracelet is only linked to a test ID, which only stores the time and place of the test and the result. In this way, the data on the bracelet is always anonymous and personal data cannot be read by anyone. We also offer the highest level of security in terms of data protection: Doctor Box is ISO 27001 & 9001 certified, the data is only stored on German servers.
Can you just fake the codes?
Counterfeiting is not possible because each person is only assigned one QR code and you get it with the ribbon around your wrist. This is actually the simplest and safest solution to bring the test result outside to the outside world in a personal and forgery-proof manner.
The QR code on the wrist: Could that be a Germany-wide solution?
With the software, we have developed a product that is scalable. What is needed for this is the infrastructure of the test centers. If this is the case, it would theoretically be possible to use the rapid test-to-go software anywhere.
How do the municipalities show up in discussions with the software?
We currently have more than 400 test centers equipped with our software. This also includes municipalities and cities such as Stuttgart or Böblingen, which each operate several test centers. The demand is extremely high because everyone is looking for a way to get out of the crisis. Rapid tests with a secure digital solution are just one parameter for breaking infection chains at an early stage. However, several measures are needed to fight a pandemic, all of which work together.
Nicole Plich spoke to Oliver Miltner
The interview is at first Business punk published.
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