Philippine Red Cross app can warn user of exposure to COVID-19

The Philippine Red Cross' mobile application meant to help authorities in contact tracing persons exposed to COVID-19 can also warn its users of their level of exposure to COVID-19.

A contact-tracing application launched by the Philippine Red Cross can inform individuals of their exposure to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

According to Mariz Umali's report on "24 Oras," the RC143 app boasts of a color-coded exposure risk meter.  

Green indicates that the user is safe.

Yellow indicates that an individual has moderate exposure to a patient or has been exposed to an individual with a close contact to a confirmed COVID-19 case.

Orange indicates a high-risk exposure or that the user came in contact with a COVID-19 patient. Under this level, users are urged to seek medical attention

A red warning indicates that the user has been confirmed positive by the Red Cross for the COVID-19 through the user's test results.

PRC chairman Senator Richard Gordon said that application would be most effective if it would have as many users as possible.

"Kailangan may synergy with another one who have downloaded the app. Kung wala iyon, hindi mo makukuha," Gordon said.

"Kaya dapat marami kayo na naka-app na ganyan para talagang mas mabilis at malalaman natin kung anong mangyayari," he added.

The watchdog group Human Rights Watch expressed concern.

"Sa history kasi ng surveillance ng kahit anong bansa, lumalabas kasi palagi na mini-misuse ito ng mga estado, itong mga surveillance apparatus na ito," HRW researcher Carlos Conde said.

"Ang issue namin dito ay, one, 'yung data privacy. Pangalawa, dahil nga sa nature ng contact tracing nito, madami i-pinpoint ng kahit na sino nagpapalakad nito kung saan ang location mo. Meron impact ito sa issues ng, for instance, freedom of movement," he added.

Gordon said only the cellphone number of the user would be required.

"We have to adhere to Google rules, no? 'Yung Google app na may mga rules on privacy. Then, we have to reckon with the law on privacy," Gordon said.

"At saka we only get mobile numbers and no one sees that but ourselves. Tayo-tayo lang," he added. -Joahna Lei Casilao/NB, GMA News