Digital COVID certificate and the use of algorithms in the context of the PLF framework
22.7.2021
Question for written answer E-003700/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Eva Kaili (S&D)
The Council and Parliament recently reached an agreement on digital COVID certificates designed to facilitate travel in Europe. Although the certificate is expected to simplify travel, its large-scale deployment is not without legal and ethical challenges.
- 1.Certain Member States have allowed travellers who have received vaccines that have not been approved by the European Medicines Agency to enter the country. Are existing bilateral agreements between EU and non-EU countries on this issue be considered compatible with the agreed EU-wide certification procedure?
- 2.Under the agreed EU COVID-19 certification rules, Member States have the discretion as to whether to accept antigen tests or not, determine the period of validity for PCR tests, and even require different time frames after completion of the vaccination. What is the Commission doing to ensure a level playing field for travel requirements across the EU?
- 3.The Passenger Locator Form (PLF) allows travellers to receive a special QR code that determines whether they need to get tested for COVID-19 or not. From the description of this machine learning tool that has been deployed in several Member States, it is not particularly clear exactly how these algorithms work or what criteria and parameters they use. Will the Commission require these algorithmic decision-making procedures to be disclosed?
Last updated: 6 August 2021