As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, here are the latest stories on how the outbreak has affected privacy:

• In Europe, 130 researchers from eight countries are developing applications to support contact tracing efforts in the fight against COVID-19, while complying with privacy laws, Reuters reports.
• Smart City Works Founder and CEO David Heyman said contact tracing through location-based technologies is “the key to stemming the spread” of COVID-19, TechRepublic reports.
• Lawmakers are raising concerns about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliance of Verily’s COVID-19-screening website, CNET reports.
• Reuters reports German Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht said tracking apps used to fight COVID-19 can only be used voluntarily.
• As Bluetooth is used in some places for location tracking to stem COVID-19 spread, Privacy International outlines details on the technology.
• Gün + Partners law firm, based in İstanbul, Turkey, published a guide on processing personal data during the COVID-19 epidemic.
• The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of New Zealand wrote in a blog post how a code under the Privacy Act triggered by a national emergency declaration gives agencies the authority to collect, use or disclose personal information for purposes related to the emergency.
• The Guardian reports the Chinese government’s “health code” technology service, used to monitor individual’s health status and travel history, is raising data privacy concerns.