Singapore TraceTogether COVID-19 contact tracing
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TraceTogether is a system developed and operated by the Singapore government to identify people who have come into contact with others who have tested positive for COVID-19.
The system was launched in March 2020 as a mobile app. The app was later supplemented by a physical token for elderly people and children who may not own a smartphone or prefer not to use the app.
TraceTogether was widely adopted by Singaporeans, reaching a 92% adoption rate in May 2021. It was later made mandatory for all Singaporeans.
Operator: Government of Singapore
Developer: Government of Singapore
Country: Singapore
Sector: Govt - health; Govt - police
Purpose: Identify contacts
Technology: Application; Bluetooth
Issue: Privacy; Surveillance; Dual/multi-use
Transparency: Governance; Marketing
Risks and harms 🛑
TraceTogether drew concerns about privacy, and was criticised for allowing Singapore police to access citizen's personal data.
According to its privacy policy, TraceTogether data could only be used for contact tracing. However, in January 2021 a government minister revealed in Parliament that the police could access this data for criminal investigations under the Criminal Procedure Code.
This was confirmed the following day when a government minister confirmed contact data had been accessed by the police during a murder investigation.
Reaction was heated, with the government accused of privacy abuse and hypocrisy, leading some Singaporeans to delete the app.
The Singapore government subsequently introduced a bill restricting police access to investigate for seven categories of offences.
Transparency 🙈
The Singapore authorities were seen only to have admitted that the police had access to TraceTogether data in response to parliamentary questioning, resulting in questions regarding government trust and credibility.
Page info
Type: System
Published: December 2022
Last updated: May 2024