Luca app before the end? More and more federal states are pulling the plug

Does the Luca app still have a future? More and more federal states are now pulling the plug and want to terminate the contracts. In addition to criticism from privacy advocates, the controversial contact tracing app is also accused of lack of use.

The fight against the pandemic in Germany is based on several pillars. At least as important as the now famous AHAL rules (distance, hygiene, everyday masks and ventilation) is the fight on the digital front. In particular, the Corona warning app and the Luca app should make contact tracing easier for health authorities. But while the former continues to celebrate success and has been downloaded more than 39 million times, the future of the Luca app looks rather bleak.

Luca app: Saxony-Anhalt and Saarland want to quit

To Information from the MDR would like Saxony-Anhalt decide to terminate the contract for the use of the Luca app. At a cabinet meeting, the State Ministry of Health should make a corresponding proposal.

A Saarland is considering a similar step. Opposite the SR State Secretary for Health Stephan Kolling confirmed this. In the coming week, the cabinet should finally decide on the termination, which will then take effect on March 31. The negative response from those who have worked with the Luca app is given as the reason for the exit.

In addition to the Dehoga industry association, the district council and the pop council gave the app bad marks. That’s how it became “App’s main objective missed”, is the sobering conclusion of State Secretary for Health Kolling.

The Luca app has so far cost taxpayers in Saarland 369,000 euros, in Saxony-Anhalt the costs are almost one million euros. All 13 participating federal states have a total of 21 million spent on the Luca app so far.

How the Luca app works:

Operator of the Luca app wants to score with on-demand service

For Nexenio GmbH, the Exit of Saarland and Saxony-Anhalt another blow. Schleswig-Holstein had previously announced that it was terminating the contract with the makers of the Luca app. But the creators of Luca don’t want to give up: In the future, the Luca app is to become an on-demand service for the health authorities. In addition, price reductions and the integration of new functions are also planned.