The authorities in Hong Kong have scrapped its coronavirus app, which was meant for contact tracing. Amid the relaxation of pandemic measures, Hong Kong's technology chief said it had "completed its historical mission". The app also sparked privacy concerns, which were dismissed by the authorities.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The app—named LeaveHomeSafe—was discontinued on Sunday after over two years of functioning. It was introduced in November 2020, when the Covid pandemic had just begun.&nbsp;

As quoted by Hong Kong Free Press, a government press release stated: "Following the relaxation of different anti-epidemic measures, the resumption of normal travel of Hong Kong and the Mainland in a progressive, orderly and comprehensive manner, as well as the resumption of the normalcy of public’s daily lives, the 'LeaveHomeSafe' system has ceased operation and the app will not be further updated."&nbsp;

The report further mentioned that the authorities have said that all visit records had been wiped from the system. Notably, people won't be able to update the software anymore, but they can use the app for tasks like registering for PCR tests at government facilities.&nbsp;

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After China reopened its borders on Sunday (January 8), inbound travellers don't&nbsp;need to quarantine or do a Covid test on arrival after entering China.&nbsp;

It led to thousands of travellers in Hong Kong flocking to newly resumed border checkpoints on Sunday in order to enter China.&nbsp;

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The authorities in Hong Kong have scrapped its coronavirus app, which was meant for contact tracing. Amid the relaxation of pandemic measures, Hong Kong's technology chief said it had "completed its historical mission".

The authorities in Hong Kong have scrapped its coronavirus app, which was meant for contact tracing. Amid the relaxation of pandemic measures, Hong Kong's technology chief said it had "completed its historical mission". The app also sparked privacy concerns, which were dismissed by the authorities. The app—named LeaveHomeSafe—was discontinued on Sunday after over two years of functioning. It was introduced in November 2020, when the Covid pandemic had just begun. As quoted by Hong Kong Free Press, a government press release stated: "Following the relaxation of different anti-epidemic measures, the resumption of normal travel of Hong Kong and the Mainland in a progressive, orderly and comprehensive manner, as well as the resumption of the normalcy of public’s daily lives, the 'LeaveHomeSafe' system has ceased operation and the app will not be further updated." The report further mentioned that the authorities have said that all visit records had been wiped from the system. Notably, people won't be able to update the software anymore, but they can use the app for tasks like registering for PCR tests at government facilities. × After China reopened its borders on Sunday (January 8), inbound travellers don't need to quarantine or do a Covid test on arrival after entering China. It led to thousands of travellers in Hong Kong flocking to newly resumed border checkpoints on Sunday in order to enter China. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

COVID-19: Hong Kong scraps its contact tracing app

After repeated assurances of selective data access, the Singapore government has admitted that the data collected for&nbsp;contact tracing can be accessed by their local department, causing concern for privacy.

The city started a programme called "TraceTogether" which was to be used to track close contacts for the COVID-19 patients in the city. The platform was launched to ease the process for everyone and allowed people to access it through a mobile phone app or a dongle.

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Initially, the app did not gain much popularity as people were sceptical about their personal information being shared with the government and/or the police department. However, after repeated assurances by the government, the take-up of the app rose to almost 8- per cent. The app was also made compulsory in public places such as malls.

However, now, after months, a senior government official has admitted that the local police can "obtain any data" if a criminal investigation demands data sharing. The data shared will include everything which is gathered through this contact-tracing programme.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-and-malaysia-scrap-high-speed-railway-after-delays-353732">Singapore and Malaysia scrap high speed railway after delays</a>

When the news broke out, the city state's&nbsp;Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishan admitted that the data has been accessed only once till now by the local police during a murder probe.

This admission has sparked concerns from locals and various human rights group who claim this is a breach of privacy in the disguise of security and assistance. It "exposes how the government has been covertly exploiting the pandemic to deepen its surveillance and control over the population,"&nbsp;Phil Robertson, the group's Asia deputy director said.

Balakrishan took this admission as a way of assuring locals that their elected has been transparent with them. "We want to be completely above board and transparent," he said in the Parliament on tuesday.

After repeated assurances of selective data access, the Singapore government has admitted that the data collected for contact tracing can be accessed by their local department, causing concern for privacy.

After repeated assurances of selective data access, the Singapore government has admitted that the data collected for contact tracing can be accessed by their local department, causing concern for privacy. The city started a programme called "TraceTogether" which was to be used to track close contacts for the COVID-19 patients in the city. The platform was launched to ease the process for everyone and allowed people to access it through a mobile phone app or a dongle. Also read| Portuguese nurse dies two days after getting the Pfizer Covid vaccine Initially, the app did not gain much popularity as people were sceptical about their personal information being shared with the government and/or the police department. However, after repeated assurances by the government, the take-up of the app rose to almost 8- per cent. The app was also made compulsory in public places such as malls. However, now, after months, a senior government official has admitted that the local police can "obtain any data" if a criminal investigation demands data sharing. The data shared will include everything which is gathered through this contact-tracing programme. Also read| Singapore and Malaysia scrap high speed railway after delays When the news broke out, the city state's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishan admitted that the data has been accessed only once till now by the local police during a murder probe. This admission has sparked concerns from locals and various human rights group who claim this is a breach of privacy in the disguise of security and assistance. It "exposes how the government has been covertly exploiting the pandemic to deepen its surveillance and control over the population," Phil Robertson, the group's Asia deputy director said. Balakrishan took this admission as a way of assuring locals that their elected has been transparent with them. "We want to be completely above board and transparent," he said in the Parliament on tuesday.

Singapore's contact tracing app data accessible by police: Government

Apps that are used for contact tracing in the wake of novel coronavirus are not likely to contain the virus's spread without following measures that include social distancing and closure of indoor spaces, according to a review of studies.&nbsp;

The study in the UK, published in health journal Lancet on Thursday, reviewed 15 studies, comprising more than 4,000 papers on automated and partially-automated contact tracing.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pandemic-could-cause-extreme-poverty-to-surge-by-100-million-world-bank-322023">Pandemic could cause extreme poverty to surge by 100 million: World Bank &nbsp;</a>

The researchers from University College London (UCL) found that the evidence on the effectiveness of automated contact tracing system presently is very limited.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singing-is-no-more-of-a-covid-19-risk-than-talking-but-volume-matters-study-322170">Singing is no more of a COVID-19 risk than talking but volume matters: Study</a>

It suggests that manual contact tracing on a large-scale going hand-in-hand with measures such as social distancing and closing indoor spaces such as pubs can be done along with automated approaches.&nbsp;

"Across a number of modelling studies, we found a consistent picture that although automated contact tracing could support manual contact tracing, the systems will require large-scale uptake by the population and strict adherence to quarantine advice by contacts notified to have a significant impact on reducing transmission, said lead author Isobel Braithwaite, reported news agency PTI.&nbsp;

Braithwaite said that automated contact tracing has shown "some" promise in helping reduce community transmission of COVID-19, but their research underscored "the urgent need for further evaluation of these apps within public health practice"

"None of the studies we found provided real-world evidence of their (automated contact tracing) effectiveness, and to improve our understanding of how they could support manual contact tracing systems, he said.

Braithwaite also said that reliance on these automated apps also pose privacy risks and can exclude older people who are not adept with technology.

"Too much reliance on automated contact tracing apps may also increase the risk of COVID-19 for vulnerable and digitally-excluded groups such as older people and people experiencing homelessness," Braithwaite said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Apps that are used for contact tracing in the wake of novel coronavirus are not likely to contain the virus's spread without following measures that include social distancing and closure of indoor spaces, according to a review of studies.

Apps that are used for contact tracing in the wake of novel coronavirus are not likely to contain the virus's spread without following measures that include social distancing and closure of indoor spaces, according to a review of studies. The study in the UK, published in health journal Lancet on Thursday, reviewed 15 studies, comprising more than 4,000 papers on automated and partially-automated contact tracing. Also read | Pandemic could cause extreme poverty to surge by 100 million: World Bank The researchers from University College London (UCL) found that the evidence on the effectiveness of automated contact tracing system presently is very limited. Also read | Singing is no more of a COVID-19 risk than talking but volume matters: Study It suggests that manual contact tracing on a large-scale going hand-in-hand with measures such as social distancing and closing indoor spaces such as pubs can be done along with automated approaches. "Across a number of modelling studies, we found a consistent picture that although automated contact tracing could support manual contact tracing, the systems will require large-scale uptake by the population and strict adherence to quarantine advice by contacts notified to have a significant impact on reducing transmission, said lead author Isobel Braithwaite, reported news agency PTI. Braithwaite said that automated contact tracing has shown "some" promise in helping reduce community transmission of COVID-19, but their research underscored "the urgent need for further evaluation of these apps within public health practice" "None of the studies we found provided real-world evidence of their (automated contact tracing) effectiveness, and to improve our understanding of how they could support manual contact tracing systems, he said. Braithwaite also said that reliance on these automated apps also pose privacy risks and can exclude older people who are not adept with technology. "Too much reliance on automated contact tracing apps may also increase the risk of COVID-19 for vulnerable and digitally-excluded groups such as older people and people experiencing homelessness," Braithwaite said.

New study says contact tracing apps may be ineffective to control coronavirus spread

About 300 teens were exposed to the novel coronavirus at a "pong fest" party in Lakeway, Texas, on June 20, local officials say.

At the time of the party, several teens were waiting for their Covid-19 test results, and have since tested positive.

City and health officials are now urging all attendees to get tested and self-isolate.

The city mayor said the city has had 105 cases, 50 of which are currently active.

According to CNN, a pop-up testing site has been set up at the Baylor School &amp; White Specialty Clinic-Lakeway to help partygoers and those they interacted with in the past week get tested.

About 300 teens were exposed to the novel coronavirus at a "pong fest" party in Lakeway, Texas, on June 20, local officials say. At the time of the party, several teens were waiting for their Covid-19 test results, and have since tested positive.

About 300 teens were exposed to the novel coronavirus at a "pong fest" party in Lakeway, Texas, on June 20, local officials say. At the time of the party, several teens were waiting for their Covid-19 test results, and have since tested positive. City and health officials are now urging all attendees to get tested and self-isolate. The city mayor said the city has had 105 cases, 50 of which are currently active. According to CNN, a pop-up testing site has been set up at the Baylor School & White Specialty Clinic-Lakeway to help partygoers and those they interacted with in the past week get tested.

Hundreds of teens at 'pong fest' party in US exposed to coronavirus

Singapore plans to soon launch a wearable device for novel coronavirus contact tracing. It says if the device turns out to be successful, it will be distributed to all of its 5.7 million residents.

The city-state has already developed the first-of-its-kind smartphone app to identify and alert people who have interacted with novel coronavirus carriers, but the app has been beset with glitches.

"We are developing and will soon roll out a portable wearable device that will not depend on possession of a smartphone," foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan told parliament on Friday.

The device being developed can be worn on a lanyard or kept in a handbag and will be battery-operated, Balakrishnan said last month in an interview with Sky News Australia.

Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) reported 517 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, bringing the total confirmed cases in the country to 36,922.

Singapore plans to soon launch a wearable device for novel coronavirus contact tracing. It says if the device turns out to be successful, it will be distributed to all of its 5.

Singapore plans to soon launch a wearable device for novel coronavirus contact tracing. It says if the device turns out to be successful, it will be distributed to all of its 5.7 million residents. The city-state has already developed the first-of-its-kind smartphone app to identify and alert people who have interacted with novel coronavirus carriers, but the app has been beset with glitches. "We are developing and will soon roll out a portable wearable device that will not depend on possession of a smartphone," foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan told parliament on Friday. The device being developed can be worn on a lanyard or kept in a handbag and will be battery-operated, Balakrishnan said last month in an interview with Sky News Australia. Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) reported 517 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, bringing the total confirmed cases in the country to 36,922.

Singapore plans a coronavirus contact tracing device for all to wear

The Silicon Valley giants, Apple and Google would release the initial versions of the contact tracing apps aimed to reduce the coronavirus spread this week, companies said in a statement on Thursday. According to the statement, the initial versions will be released to selective developers only for testing.

The final version of their tools is expected to be released by mid-May after the developers complete the testing.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-and-apple-collaborate-to-track-coronavirus-pandemic-292645">Google and Apple collaborate to track coronavirus pandemic</a>

Apple and Google have been working with public health experts and researchers to write apps that people can use to notify those they have come in contact with if they come down with COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus.

The rare collaboration is expected to accelerate usage of apps that aim to get potentially infected individuals into testing or quarantine more quickly and reliably than existing systems in much of the world. Such tracing will play a vital role in managing the virus once lockdowns end, health experts say.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/apple-to-delay-mass-production-of-2020-flagship-iphones-report-295119">Apple to delay mass production of 2020 flagship iPhones</a>

Meanwhile, according to a recent survey done by the University of Maryland and the Washington Post, &nbsp;more than half of all Americans either do not own smartphones or would not use these apps aimed at trace who has been exposed to the new coronavirus.

As per the poll, 82% of Americans said they had a smartphone out of those, only half said they would definitely or probably use such an app.

Much of the scepticism is based on concern about Google and Apple, the poll found.

Just 43% of smartphone users polled expressed "a great deal" or "a good amount" of trust in Google and Apple and other tech companies, while 47% expressed trust in health insurers, 56% in universities and 57% in public health agencies, the poll found.

Contract tracing is deemed necessary to reopen the US economy, which has been hard hit by shutdowns aimed at slowing the spread of the disease which has killed more than 58,000 Americans. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)

The Silicon Valley giants, Apple and Google would release the initial versions of the contact tracing apps aimed to reduce the coronavirus spread this week, companies said in a statement on Thursday.

The Silicon Valley giants, Apple and Google would release the initial versions of the contact tracing apps aimed to reduce the coronavirus spread this week, companies said in a statement on Thursday. According to the statement, the initial versions will be released to selective developers only for testing. The final version of their tools is expected to be released by mid-May after the developers complete the testing. Also read: Google and Apple collaborate to track coronavirus pandemic Apple and Google have been working with public health experts and researchers to write apps that people can use to notify those they have come in contact with if they come down with COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus. The rare collaboration is expected to accelerate usage of apps that aim to get potentially infected individuals into testing or quarantine more quickly and reliably than existing systems in much of the world. Such tracing will play a vital role in managing the virus once lockdowns end, health experts say. Also read: Apple to delay mass production of 2020 flagship iPhones Meanwhile, according to a recent survey done by the University of Maryland and the Washington Post, more than half of all Americans either do not own smartphones or would not use these apps aimed at trace who has been exposed to the new coronavirus. As per the poll, 82% of Americans said they had a smartphone out of those, only half said they would definitely or probably use such an app. Much of the scepticism is based on concern about Google and Apple, the poll found. Just 43% of smartphone users polled expressed "a great deal" or "a good amount" of trust in Google and Apple and other tech companies, while 47% expressed trust in health insurers, 56% in universities and 57% in public health agencies, the poll found. Contract tracing is deemed necessary to reopen the US economy, which has been hard hit by shutdowns aimed at slowing the spread of the disease which has killed more than 58,000 Americans. (With inputs from Reuters)

Coronavirus pandemic: Apple, Google to release developer version of contact tracing app this week