The island of La Gomera is to pilot a track and trace Covid-19 app from the end of June.
La Gomera has been chosen for the pilot because of its geography as part of the Canary Islands archipelago and its popularity with tourists.
The results will be used by the Spanish government and the autonomous communities as they assess the feasibility of a nationwide technological system to reduce Covid-19 infections.
The Canary Islands government has agreed collaboration with the local health service, the national health and digitisation ministries, and the European directorate-general for innovation and technological support.
La Gomeran authorities have indicated “widespread enthusiasm” among residents to participate.
The track and trace app uses a decentralised model which maintains user privacy.
The decentralised model gives users more control of their information by carrying out the track and trace procedure from within the phone itself.
Individuals who have been in close contact with somebody infected with Covid-19 will receive an alert on their phone with information about how they should proceed.
The data will not be passed on to health authorities who will only be able to gather data of infected individuals.
Organisers say the track and trace app complies with the guidelines of the European Commission covering the encryption of personal data.