Singapore: Govt announces that Covid-19 contact-tracing data accessible to police

This photo illustration shows a mobile phone user displaying the TraceTogether application, used to aid contact tracing efforts relating to the ongoing Covid-19 coronavirus situation, in Singapore on Monday (Jan 4, 2021). - AFP

SINGAPORE, Jan 4 (Reuters): Singapore said on Monday its police will be able to use data obtained by its coronavirus contact-tracing technology for criminal investigations, a decision likely to increase privacy concerns around the system.

The technology, deployed as both a phone app and a physical device, is being used by nearly 80% of the 5.7 million population, authorities said after announcing its use would become compulsory in places like shopping malls.