Gov't urges citizens to install virus-tracking app

More zombies colliding with each other as they try to work out which way to walk...

Absolutely useless when there's so little testing being done.

Urge away but they could make it easier by putting some info and a link to the App Stores on their site. If its on the MHLW site I couldn't find it.

When users who have tested positive for the coronavirus register their information voluntarily, other users who have come within a metre of them for at least 15 minutes will be notified

Will these positive tested people register it voluntarily??? Highly doubtful!

If the register is voluntary what controls are in place to prevent misuse? can someone that wants to be tested just convince a close person to report himself positive so the first person can get an alert?

Open source? What you doing with the info?

install...in your dream! Big brother is watching you.

Its almost to make a supportive comment on Japan Today regarding anything like this that MAY invade your privacy in anyway. I can already seem some, and I suspect many more comments coming from the usual suspects a: on the privacy issue and b: 'lets just do more testing''

The Government has not been fortcoming with testing - on that I of course agree, But tio what end should it be ramped up now? We have been lucky (god knows how) that we don't have over run hospitals and morgues like so many countries have. The tiem for mass testing has long passed. The peak has long passed. So, of what use is it, if I was tested and 2 hours later walk into a hostess club and be exposed?

I do support testing for those working in certain industries and for them using the app and for ALL of us using said app for the next few months. I don't trust the governement anymore than most of you do but an app that people adopt could be the way out of constant fear from a lot of people, a longer term solution to opening borders with other countries and in turn some form of economic recovery.

Unless you have something to hide then you shouldn't think that this is 'deadly'or 'scary''. Seriously OTT comments.

Sadly though - preaching to the wrong forum. I shall look for something a little more centrist!

Hands you those who trust Abe, Aso or Suga?

i guess if you are bored, tell the app you have the virus and have fun walking around crowded centers.

It might be a good idea. The problem once they start to do this they will keep the program going. They will start to use it to track you for information. Its just like the Patriot Act here in the USA. They renew it every year and our rights have disappeared. Once you let the government in you cant get them out.

I think this is fine for countries where the virus spread to and killed many people. However the numbers for Japan were quite low.

When users who have tested positive for the coronavirus register their information voluntarily, other users who have come within a metre of them for at least 15 minutes will be notified.

So I will be notified after they gave me the virus?

So - those who have thumbed me down. Are you the same people that have said elewhere what a wonderful job South Korea have done? Wager a few yen you are, but just can't even bring yourself to even be neutral on anything positive Japan may do.

Gov't urges citizens to install virus-tracking app

Nah, think I'll pass. Let me know when you come up with something better!

I'll do it. I have already tested negative twice....

on the so called APP , the Bluetooth and the Wifi will be always on,,,ha ha ha

it will drain quickly the battery, inefficient.

No point to this except for giving your location data to government.

There’s so much restrictions on testing and treatment even if you know you are exposed and infected there’s nothing you can do.

The government don’t want to test or treat because that would mean higher reported numbers. Many doctors dont want to test or treat because identifying a case would mean shutting down or at least restrictions on their hospital/clinic.

"This is an important tool to protect your lives, so please install it," Yasutoshi Nishimura, the minister in charge of the government's coronavirus response, told a press conference.

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha(inhales)hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hee hoo har har har! The silliness stemming from this situation makes me laugh so badly. The level of flaws with this app makes it as useful as my ex when I asked her to help me do something.

What's to stop someone from keeping their infection to themselves and not reporting it, but still going out in public?

Will these positive tested people register it voluntarily??? Highly doubtful!

Given that using the app is voluntary it is being self-selected by a group who are being more socially responsible than those that don't install it. It's almost axiomatic that they will continue to act responsibly and report any infection they suffer.

Unless japan mandates those who tested positive to register, like China did, it’s utterly useless. Might as well have the infected hang a sign around their neck saying “Positive!”

Given that using the app is voluntary it is being self-selected by a group who are being more socially responsible than those that don't install it. It's almost axiomatic that they will continue to act responsibly and report any infection they suffer.

And these responsible people will be staying at home anyway, so it makes no difference.

The one thing this article is about and still fails to communicate is which is the app?

A fast search showed that several other online news also fail to mention this, but looks like the same article has been copy-pasted around a few times:

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200613_01/

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/japan-urges-citizens-to-install-virus-tracking-app-12848504

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-06-japan-urges-citizens-virus-tracking-app.html

pledging that the system would not invade users' privacy

Well if the government says it, it must be true, right?

Is everyone aware that governments can already track you via your mobile phone? They don't need this app to do it.

I don't think I stand within one meter of anyone for 15 minutes; not at work, not in public, maybe at home. I don't ride the Tokyo trains, though.

However,

pledging that the system would not invade users' privacy.

is a 'pledge' but the Japanese gov't. That means, generally, they're going to lose users' data; almost guaranteed.

As someone who makes apps like these for a living the amount of misunderstanding by commenters on this platform is astounding. So let me explain some of these concerns.

Privacy Concerns

Unless you are running a stupidly old version of iOS or Android, unless you explicitly give an app access to your personal information it can't access it. When you install an app that's what all those little pop ups asking for permissions are for. And no, there isn't a way around it. Not unless you're running a hacked version of the operating system.

on the so called APP , the Bluetooth and the Wifi will be always on,,,ha ha ha

As other people have mentioned, unless your device has an already shot battery, you'll be fine. They are designed to have these functions on all the time.

That means, generally, they're going to lose users' data;

Even if they use users data to a data breach, the most likely scenario is the that device id and its location is the only thing that is recorded. Let alone the fact that it's going to be encrypted. EVEN IF someone managed to get this data it wouldn't do any good. All they would know is your devices IMEI number, and generally where you happened to be. That's even if they could decrypt it which would be extremely difficult. Modern encryption methods are pretty safe.

Though, I digress. The majority of people who are freaking out about privacy are the people who don't understand that they never had any to begin with.

Thank you @ksteer.

This is predicated on the basis that those who have tested positive will register. With so little testing in this country, it's a ridiculous way to go about it. Japan and Nishimura just want to put on another show like the Abenomask and highlight to the world that Japan's high tech is also in play. What a joke.

Nope.

First, I'm not going to do a job the government is too lazy to do itself and won't even bother testing. Second, it won't make a difference since people can't get tested to know if they have it -- you'll just have everyone walking around without knowing if they have it, and no one would be crazy enough in this bullying culture to even suggest they might. Third, yeah... I'm going to give the government the ability to track my whereabouts at all time... and you know, they've "vowed" they would never possibly abuse it!

Don't do it, it's BS! Just another tracking device. The powers that be are just testing the waters to see how many billions of people can be controlled. Don't do it! The power is in unity NOT to separate everyone, as that is their aim in the future.

Yes. Is anyone aware where the app can be downloaded from please?

About my earlier comment... I don't mean to troll. I just mean that if you're worried about privacy then this app is the least of your worries.

Japan's covid tracing app is using the Apple/Google Exposure Notification API, which was designed with privacy in mind from the ground up. There is no data kept about your movements. Contact data is stored on your phone not some government server. Also remember this is "opt in".

App is now available for download on Apple App store for those that want it. (Sorry don't have an Android so not sure about them).

It's called 'COVID-19 Contact App' - Japan MHLW Official.

It's currently listed in 'New Apps We Love'.

Recognizable among the many other COVID related by Apps by the MHLW logo.

I will pass !!!

Oh my god, has anyone seen the app? The UI is so ugly, yuck!

Japanese language only.

I will pass.

No thank you, I'll pass.

@CarlosTakanakana

Japanese language only.

UI is in Japanese/English/Chinese.

Thank you - @Japanoob, All up and running. Minimal Fuss. English Interface - Very similar to the DoCoMo Emergency App.

Oh - Should I stop streaming music too? Or using Google Maps? Or Uber/Uber Eats? Or use anything else of that makes my life a lot more convenient - knowing full well that my location on using any app lets me be pinged? In that case maybe all those who disagree here should put your smartphones in the bin and just return to flip phones? We have let ourselves become 'visible' not the other way round.

Oh my god sorry! @Japanoob thanks for the correction. Wish I could edit my comment. :/

I have a flip phone how do i install the New World Order agenda 21 virus tracking app?

OxycodinToday  08:54 am JST

I have a flip phone how do i install the New World Order agenda 21 virus tracking app?

You don't need to worry about that since your cellphone cannot get viruses (has inherited immunity from all viruses now and in the future).