Singapore TraceTogether COVID-19 contact tracing

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 percent adoption rate in May 2021. It was later made mandatory for all Singaporeans.

Risks and harms 🛑

TraceTogether drew concerns about privacy, and was criticised for allowing Singapore police to access citizen's personal data.

Transparency and accountability 🙈

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.

News, commentary, analysis 🗞️

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjhIegyyLHk

• https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-police-force-can-obtain-tracetogether-data-covid-19-13889914

• https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/tracetogether-data-police-access-vivian-balakrishnan-parliament-13896684

• https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/critical-need-to-rebuild-the-publics-trust-in-tracetogether

• https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/polices-ability-to-use-tracetogether-data-raises-questions-on-trust-experts

• https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/police-can-use-tracetogether-data-for-criminal-investigations-0

• https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/01/11/1016004/singapore-tracetogether-contact-tracing-police/

• https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-12/singapore-may-introduce-contact-tracing-bill-in-early-february

• https://www.zdnet.com/article/singapore-police-can-access-covid-19-contact-tracing-data-for-criminal-investigations/

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-55541001

• https://www.cpomagazine.com/data-privacy/police-have-access-to-singapores-tracetogether-app-data-in-spite-of-earlier-assurances-will-trust-in-contact-tracing-apps-be-undermined/

• https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/01/11/1016004/singapore-tracetogether-contact-tracing-police/

• https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/bill-limiting-use-of-tracetogether-for-serious-crimes-passed-with-govt-assurances

• https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3116541/coronavirus-tracetogether-data-used-murder-case

• https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/police-will-restrict-use-of-tracetogether-data-to-very-serious-offences-shanmugam

• https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/more-than-1100-users-have-deregistered-from-tracetogether-vivian