Travel Tracker data to be cleared out

Friday 29 April 2022

Unnecessary covid-19 Travel Tracker information will be deleted in a “mass data cleanse” in the coming weeks, according to Deputy Peter Ferbrache.

The President of the Policy & Resources Committee was responding to Rule 14 questions submitted by Deputy Gavin St Pier, who queried whether a previously agreed policy to delete the data after 90-days had been implemented.

Deputy Ferbrache said this new development has “overtaken the completion of the implementation of the 90-day retention policy” and added that the cleanse should be completed by the end of next month. 

“A more recent review by the Programme Board has illustrated that the data set is no longer being actively used or updated, given the removal of the requirement for inbound travellers to complete Pre-Travel Assessment Forms,” said Deputy Ferbrache.

“This means that any new data being captured is extremely limited and only includes new accounts being created, or existing accounts being updated with new information by users.

“The Programme Board further agreed on 12th April 2022 that, subject to final checks and with the exception of the limited data needed for Travel Tracker Accounts to remain active, a mass data cleanse of Travel Tracker data is to be undertaken. This will see the removal of all travel, quarantine and testing data."

Pictured: All travellers into the Bailiwick were required to create a Travel Tracker account and log their journeys throughout the pandemic.

Islanders will still be able to access and use their Travel Tracker accounts, as necessary data will be retained including “name, address, email address contact number, Vaccine Certificate Unique Reference Number (URN) and GY Numbers”.

Deputy Ferbrache said this is because “the platform is used as the public interface with the Vaccination Administration System, allowing access to COVID-19 Vaccination QR Code which islanders may require for the purposes of travel or attending off-island events”.

Whilst vaccination data is not stored on Travel Tracker accounts, it continues to act as a display interface for individuals. 

Deputy Ferbrache also confirmed that “a general 90-day retention policy for COVID-19-related data held outside of Travel Tracker has already been implemented to existing data sets”. 

Retention of data sets is done so in accordance with Guernsey’s data protection laws.

You can read Deputy Ferbrache’s responses in full HERE.