Privacy, usage issues mark lukewarm response to Hong Kong’s Covid-19 contact-tracing app ‘Leave Home Safe’

By Gigi Choy

Identification labels for users to scan a QR code using the new app will be available in 18,000 taxis citywide. — Dickson Lee/South China Morning Post

Public response to the Hong Kong government’s newly launched Covid-19 contact-tracing app has been lukewarm, with usage difficulties and privacy fears among top concerns.

The “Leave Home Safe” mobile app became available for download on Nov 16, allowing users to scan a QR code at more than 9,000 locations, including 6,000 public and 3,000 private venues, and on identification labels in 18,000 taxis to log their movements voluntarily.

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