Backlash as police get test and trace data: Michael Gove is forced to defend the move after officers were handed personal details amid privacy row

Michael Gove was forced to defend police being given personal data through the NHS Test and Trace system amid a furious privacy row yesterday.

Experts and public health officials reacted with anger when it emerged police had been given powers to request details of people who had been told to self-isolate in England.

The agreement between the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the National Police Chiefs’ Council was revealed as Test and Trace chief Dido Harding admitted the system was ‘not a silver bullet’ to tackle coronavirus.

Experts said sharing data with police would deter people from engaging with the system. 

Read more: Backlash as police get test and trace data: Michael Gove is forced to defend the move after officers were handed personal details amid privacy row