‘AarogyaSetu’ App: Tech innovation to keep citizens safe and curb the spread of coronavirus
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of Government of India launched a mobile app ‘ArogyaSetu’ on 01.04.2020. The app has been developed in the tackle the growth of COVID-19 in India. The app empowers every citizen to play their part in preventing the spread of COVID-19. It acts by informing the users of the potential risk of infection. Once the level of threat is identified, the user is provided with relevant medical advice. The app takes into consideration two types of information from the user. First, it seeks information related to the travel history and the people the user might have come in contact with in the recent past. Second, it gathers information about the user’s current health status.
Once the app is downloaded, it asks for the user’s mobile number, devices location and the Bluetooth address in order to monitor the proximity with other devices. Based on the information gathered using the geo-location and the data of Bluetooth interaction with close by devices, the app generates a social graph. Next, it asks for potential foreign travel history in the last 14 days. Based on this social graph, the app alerts the users if he/she has come in contact with someone who has been tested positive. Next it takes into consideration the users past and current health status. Using the social graph, level of proximity, travel history of 14 days and user’s health status the app informs the user about the potential risk for them. When two individual having this app come within approximately 5 meters of each other there status updates based on the data contained the app.
Along with this, the app also alerts the user if someone from their social graph is infected. It then sends alert with a set of instruction on how to self-isolate and what to do if you develop any symptoms that may require immediate response and medical attention. The most important role of the app comes into play once a patient is identified as Covid-19 positive. The app can then takes into consideration the travel history, the social proximity of the patient and broadcasts it to the people in his/her social graph.
Keeping in mind the privacy issues, the government has also ensured that data remains in an encrypted form. As soon as the device is registered, a computer generated anonymous id is assigned to the device. The data gathered for the device then gets stored with the encrypted id as reference at a server only accessible to the Government of India.
To make the app user friendly, the app provides information in all 11 major Indian languages including Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi, and other. In addition, the Aarogya Setu app has a wide range of all official COVID-19 pandemic related information. It is promoted by the government across various mediums. For instance, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued an advisory for all schools and institutions to promote the app and urge students, teachers, families, and other staff members to install the app. In a recent, PM has urged citizens to promote the app. The app might help in more efficient and effective operationalization of the govenmnets effort in curbing the spread of COVID-19.
The apps data may have many potential current and future applications in varied areas. For instance, the data gathered from the app can be processed to compare the effectiveness of lockdown in various areas. From the movement data, average distance travelled by users in an area can be computed. This average distance travelled can help indicate the Government of the areas where lockdown was effective or ineffective. Accordingly, strategic interventions can be planned. The data can also be used to plan meetings and allow curfew passes. Based on the data, users can/will be classified in different colour codes depending upon their apparent risk status and e-meetings can be arranged with individual with high risk. The meeting conveners can decide based on risk category on the inclusion/exclusion of people in meetings of places where physical meetings are still necessary such as hospitals, and police/administrative services. Essential items delivery to the needy may also be managed safely using this app as the delivery person and needy will come under social contact. In a lockdown, if a person, is travelling, the policeman at checkpoints can use the app to check his status. Only green status with a clear history may be allowed to proceed. This may also be a necessary app in schools, college, and courts where large gatherings of people come into contact with eachother. In an online survey conducted by IIM Rohtak across 615 student more 92.8% student found this app useful safeguard when coming to contact with others.