Govt. May Introduce Virus Contact Tracking App


Govt. may introduce virus contact tracking app

The Japanese government is considering the adoption of a smartphone app that would allow authorities to quickly identify people who may have been exposed to those infected with the new coronavirus.

The app will be similar to the one developed and introduced in Singapore. If users of smartphones loaded with the app come into close proximity, the handsets will receive each other's phone number and record it in an encrypted form.

If users of the app are found to be infected with the virus, authorities can analyze the encoded data and identify people who may have come into close contact with the virus carriers.

A private-sector Japanese organization is working to develop its own version of the app.

The government plans to put the technology to a verification test. But it will be careful in determining how the identification system should be run because of issues such as protection of personal information.

Information Technology Policy Minister Takemoto Naokazu says the government wants to launch the project as soon as possible.

But the minister says if the app is not widely used, it will not be as effective as hoped. He adds the government will give due consideration to how people feel about the tracking system.