One month after the introduction of Italy’s national lockdown, the government’s bid to find data-driven solutions to limit the spread of the coronavirus has sparked a debate over privacy rights and data protection.

Last week, the Ministry of Innovation announced that it had assembled a multi-disciplinary task force of scientists and experts to select possible technological solutions it had received through a recent national open call. 

The initiative prompted a deluge of proposed solutions from about 800 technology companies, nonprofits and research institutions. It also came as scientists stressed the need not only to enforce social distancing, but also to trace and isolate those who have tested positive for Covid-19. The task force is expected to announce its decision imminently.

While the number of infections in Italy has flattened out in recent days, the country has recorded 16,523 deaths — just under a quarter of all worldwide Covid-19 fatalities. Experts have warned that Italy’s falling case numbers may be a result of a decline in daily testing, rather than any slowdown in the outbreak itself.