Singapore introduces quarantine tag for incoming travellers

Government insists that new device will not store personal data

The Singapore government has stated that, from August 11, tracking devices will be issued to travellers and residents from selected countries, according to the Straits Times. Details of the device have not been revealed, but it will use GPS and Bluetooth signals to track movements during quarantine. Any attempt to leave home or tamper with the device will trigger an alert to the authorities, who insist that the device will not store personal data, and has no voice or video function. ‘Only government officials authorised by the respective authorities will have access to the data for the purposes of monitoring and investigation’, quotes the newspaper. Similar devices have been used in Hong Kong and South Korea. Meanwhile, Singapore has also announced an intention to provide every resident a ‘virus-tracing dongle’, says the newspaper. Read more