Contact Tracing App

There is so much talk about Aarogya Setu, Indian government's app these days, especially after PM's recent announcement. What exactly is it?

Aarogya Setu is a contact tracing app to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. It works on the principle that the use of it by a major part of the population will lead to a lower number of infections. So the more people use it the more effective it will be.

Aarogya Setu is a tool to help people self-assess their risk of being infected with Covid-19. When you go out, the app uses Bluetooth and GPS to alert citizens about their proximity to Covid-19 infected persons. The app needs Bluetooth and GPS to be always on for it to work. The app continuously collects your location data and maintains a record of the places where you have come in contact with other registered users. It will alert the user if he comes into close proximity with someone who could be infected with Covid-19.

The app evaluates your risk level based on both self-assessment data provided by you and any close contact this app detects with others who may later be diagnosed. Then it informs you that you are either:

• Safe - low risk of Covid-19 infection, or
• At high risk - isolate yourself and your immediate family members.

Technology on Your Phone

Currently Apple and Google together are adding contact-tracing technology to their smartphone platforms, iOS and Android, that will alert users if they have come into contact with a person with Covid-19. It will curb the spread of Covid-19 by telling users they should quarantine or isolate themselves after contact with an infected individual.

In mid-May, the companies will add the ability for their phones to wirelessly exchange anonymous information via apps run by public health authorities, such as Aarogya Setu by Govt of India. Google shall use the Google Play services rather than relying on users to download the update.