Singapore to hear bill allowing use of Covid tracing data in investigations

TraceTogether is being used by about 78% of Singapore’s population. Now it’s become a test of public trust in the government after senior officials admitted that it has also been accessible to the police for crime investigations, contrary to prior statements. — AFP

Singapore is speeding a new law through parliament to allow the use of contact tracing data for criminal investigations after recent disclosures spurred concern that the government was using the information for more than just fighting Covid-19.

With one of the highest take-up rates among contact tracing programs in the world, TraceTogether has been an effective tool for containing the virus. Now it’s become a test of public trust in the government after senior officials admitted that it has also been accessible to the police for crime investigations, contrary to prior statements.