A warning app can be an important part of fighting the corona pandemic. But even if a technically functioning Corona warning app is available quickly, its success is by no means guaranteed. The warning app must find as many users as possible as quickly as possible so that it can make a lasting contribution to containing the pandemic. Research on technology acceptance suggests that, in addition to suitable technology management and the definition of an adequate target group, the perceived benefit of the app, public trust, social norms and ease of use are key success factors of the Corona Warning app. In addition, convincing, trust-building communication, which also takes into account the willingness for long-term use and the app exit, are fundamental for acceptance.
At the current level of daily new infections, so few alarms would probably be triggered by a warning app that the test capacities belonging to an app would not be overwhelmed and thus all actors could learn whether the app is technically good enough and enables effective tracking of infection chains. With an early roll-out and a growing use of the app among the population, everyone would be better prepared if a second major wave of infection should come to Germany in autumn 2020.
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