Security News > 2020 > March > Hong Kong makes wearable trackers mandatory for new arrivals, checks in with ‘surprise calls’ too
Hong Kong has made it mandatory for all new arrivals to wear an "Electronic wristband" that links to a smartphone to provide location-tracking services, so that authorities can be sure they're observing COVID-19 quarantine requirements.
Here's the fun part in the press release: "The staff at the communication centres set up by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer will check the location of people under quarantine from time to time and make surprise video calls to ensure that they are staying at their dwelling places."
The app appears to come from a Hong Kong outfit named Compathnion that bills itself as "An award-winning team with a mission to deliver effective location based solutions to fulfill evolving business needs."
Hong Kong's government says it has secured 60,000 of the wristbands, and has put in place severe fines for those that don't wear them, leave their dwellings or try to game the system.
Hong Kong joins Israel and China in the using-tech-to-track-Corona club, with several other currently considering the idea.