Singapore pioneered smartphone-based COVID-19 contact tracing as part of its pandemic response. What started as a voluntary tool has now shifted to a mandatory system, leaving citizens with little choice.
France began its deconfinement on May 11, 2020, with plans to roll out the StopCovid app on June 2 following a testing phase the prior week. The app aims to alert users to nearby infections, breaking transmission chains. However, digital tracing has sparked controversy over privacy and civil liberties.
Switzerland faces a similar debate. As reported by Le Temps on May 6, 2020, the Federal Council is considering a comparable app developed by the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne (EPFL), potentially launching by late May.
The Swiss outlet highlights Singapore's pioneering role—and a recent escalation that Europe should watch closely.
Launched in late March 2020 alongside border closures and traveler quarantines, TraceTogether used Bluetooth technology to detect close contacts lasting over 15 minutes. It was offered anonymously and on a voluntary basis.
Uptake fell short: Only 20% of Singapore's 5.6 million residents adopted it, far below the 60% experts deemed necessary. Despite relatively low figures—21,000 cases and 20 deaths—a recent surge prompted action. Challenges persisted in crowded areas rife with close contact, and many elderly residents lacked smartphones or digital skills.
Faced with limited adoption, Singapore's Prime Minister introduced SafeEntry, a mandatory QR code scanning system for entering or exiting public buildings. Unlike its predecessor, it transmits full personal details—including name, phone number, and location—to a central database, eliminating anonymity. The system expands to businesses and malls from May 12.
