In the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation, one of the seven things he asked the country to do was to install the Arogya Setu app that is developed by the ministry of electronics and IT.
The application is used to do the surveillance on the citizens through which the containment of the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. This method has been extensively used in other countries especially China. This method has been so far useful for the establishment to contain the spread.
Here are the things you need to know about the government’s Arogya Setu application.
Application is available in 11 languages
The Arogya Setu application is available in 11 languages including 10 Indian languages. This is done to reach out to every individual in the country. More languages mean more penetration.
The Application Uses Bluetooth & location
After installing the Arogya Setu application, the user needs to switch on the Bluetooth always and also the location sharing. This is used to track the citizen.
The Design of the Application
Arogya Setu is designed to keep the user informed if she/he has crossed paths with a coronavirus infected person. The tracking is done through Bluetooth and location sharing.
A tool of self-testing
Arogya Setu is also can be used as a self-testing tool for the coronavirus. The user is given a questionnaire and based on the response, the application sends the information to the government and if there are any symptoms developed, the government will take necessary steps.
Alert Messages
The Arogya Setu application also notifies or alerts the user if he/she is in close proximity with a person who has been tested positive for the COVID-19. The alerts are accompanied with instructions to self-isolate and suggestions to follow if symptoms start to develop.
The Data is shared with the government only
The data of the application is sent to the government servers and the government has categorically assured that the data is secure with the establishment. The data will not be made public.
Opportunity to volunteer
If anyone wants to volunteer with the government in its fight against the COVID-19 outbreak, the Arogya Setu application offers a questionnaire test of 20 seconds.
Risk Detection
Once Arogya Setu application has been installed, it alerts the other user who has installed the application regarding the amount of risk by staying in the close proximity of the other. This is done using analyzing the sophisticated parameter entered by the user.
Foreign History
The Arogya Setu application asks for the foreign travel history of the user if any. If that matches with any positively tested patient of COVID-19, the government is alerted.
10 million downloads already
The Application that is available on both Google Playstore and Apple store has already more than 10 million users across the country.
Source: Economic Times
