Letters | Hong Kong’s coronavirus contact tracing app is part of good digital governance

Readers discuss the decision to make the use of the Leave Home Safe app mandatory for entry to government buildings, the government’s zero-Covid strategy, the prohibition on surfing at a local beach, and Taiwan’s predicament

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People use the Leave Home Safe app to enter Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Jordan on November 1, the day it became mandatory to use the app to enter government facilities. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 6:30am, 3 Nov 2021

I refer to the article, “Officials will be ‘lenient at first’ as Hong Kong’s ‘Leave Home Safe’ app becomes mandatory to access government facilities” (October 31).

I welcome the enforcement of the new rule by the government. It is a necessary step to reinforce the idea of digital governance in Hong Kong.

Addressing concerns over data collection through the app, the government has explained more than once that the app will not collect any personal information and the data will only be used for disease prevention purposes. Yet, public acceptance of the app remains quite low.

It is the responsibility of citizens to assess government policies with a critical mindset. Nevertheless, it is not a good sign that people believe in rumours instead of the official explanation. This reflects that there is a serious trust crisis in our society between the government and the public.

Given that, the government should put more effort into addressing the misconceptions through public education.

But, at the same time, Hongkongers should refrain from viewing the issue through tinted glasses. Using mobile apps to assist in disease prevention is not uncommon. For example, Singapore launched a similar app called TraceTogether, which has played an important role in the city’s prompt reaction to the pandemic.