Security News > 2020 > June > Singapore’s Contact Tracing Wearable Causes Privacy Backlash

Singapore's announcement that it is developing a wearable for contact tracing has caused citizens to voice concern for the technology's impact on their data privacy, with more than 35,000 signing a petition against the devices.

Previously, Singapore had created a contact tracing app, TraceTogether, which uses Bluetooth mobile phones' functions to detect other phones nearby and track the spread of the virus.

Singapore residents rebuked the technology over the weekend, with a petition called "Singapore says 'No' to wearable devices for COVID-19 contact tracing" rejecting the development of the device.

Wilson Low, who started the petition, in a Sunday post voiced concerns about the wearables potentially allowing contact tracers to locate users' whereabouts based on their proximity to others' phones, cell towers or potentially other wearable devices themselves.

Balakrishnan said Singapore needs to "Get the balance right between public health and personal privacy." He added that he believes Singapore is actually being far more protective of privacy than in many other jurisdictions.

News URL

https://threatpost.com/singapore-contact-tracing-wearable-privacy/156397/