Japan urges citizens to install virus-tracking app

A man wearing a face mask, amid concerns of the Covid-19 coronavirus, looks at his phone while commuting on a train in Tokyo. Japan’s smartphone app, which like those in many countries relies on Bluetooth tracking and the permission of users, will launch on June 19. — AFP

TOKYO: Japan’s government on June 18 urged citizens to install the country’s first coronavirus-tracing app when it launches this week, pledging that the system would not invade users’ privacy.

The smartphone app, which like those in many countries relies on Bluetooth tracking and the permission of users, will launch on June 19.