While we all have technical school - based privacy usurpation to deal with on a daily basis , Hong Kong residents are seeing that takenup to a novel levelthanks to the coronavirus ’s spread — and it ’s only flummox unsound .
showcase in point : in the beginning today , Hong Kong ’s Chief Information Officer , Victor Lam , annunciate earlier todaythat the metropolis - State Department will be cracking down on new arrival that endeavor to break theirfederally mandated two week quarantineupon touching down . Lam explained that Hong Kong residents put under quarantine will now need to wear a handy wristband that tracks their position to ensure they ’re stay put , and ( hopefully ) stay socially aloof .
But do n’t occupy — despite how dystopian this might go , Lam check reporters that he ’d consult with Hong Kong ’s “ Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data , ” who “ basically agreed ” that the system was n’t incursive . As Lam sound out :
Photo: (Getty)
In fact , the app will not capture directly the localization , but only catch the changes in the placement , specially the telecommunication and communicating signals around the confinee to ensure that he ( or she ) is stay at home . ”
The wristband — whichlooks kinda like a souped - up infirmary wristbandthat you might get during a draw out arrest — ismade to pair off with a native appthat , much likemany of the apps on many of our phones , garner location information from the wristband itself . Wristband - wearers are also tell to walk throughout their house so that the tech can represent out the coordinates of a survive space , and summit - off authorities if the watchband - wearer get somewhere they are n’t allowed .
justly now , Hong Kong has more than 50,000 people locked in their homes — and that phone number is look to rebel , according toan earlier federal press release .
“ So far , 5,000 reusable wristbands [ … ] are pronto available and another 60 000 disposable watchstrap have been procured from the food market . Among which , 5 000 disposable wristbands were delivered and tested , ” the statement read , adding that “ the remaining 55 000 wristbands will be render in batch . ”
The company that developed this band ’s associated app is a Hong - Kong free-base Compathnion , whichbrands itself as“an award - gain squad with a mission to deliver in force emplacement - based solutions to satisfy evolving line demand in Hong Kong , China , and other part of the world . ” A quick look at itsclienteleshows that before the company facilitate Hong Kong authorities map out out its citizen , Compathnion did the same for promenade , construction fellowship , and universities .
According to anearlier Union press release , this app / wristband combo wo n’t be the only affair tail Hong Kong citizen ’ locations . Popular apps like WhatsApp and WeChat will also be beam that intel back to Hong Kong ’s Department of Health , and local implements of war of law enforcement .
Both of these department will get the memo if someone under quarantine tries to un - quarantine themselves before the two weeks are up , and will also get flag if someone stress breaking their watch bracelet or disconnecting their smartphone — federal no - no ’s that will result in one of these agency taking “ follow - up natural action . ” The exact definition of what that “ action ” means has yet to be defined , but considering Hong Kong ’s cart track record ofalleged police savagery , it ’s not operose to imagine what could happen if the quarantine do n’t stay quarantined .
COVID-19Privacy
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