Thailand launches Mor Chana mobile app to enhance contact tracing efforts to help stop the spread of COVID-19

 

 

A new mobile application called Mor Chana has been launched to support ongoing COVID-19 contact tracing efforts in Thailand. The community-driven app offers a contact tracing solution that enables smartphone device users to perform self-assessment and determine the risk level of infection based on exposure and travel history. It is designed to track the spread of the novel coronavirus, prompt quick and accurate public health responses, and ensure effective and measurable social distancing measures.

 

"After seeing healthcare professionals dedicating their hard work and risking their lives at the front line to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers from several public and private organizations decided to step up and offer their resources to help the public health sector with the introduction of a contact tracing app called Mor Chana," said representatives of the application development team which include Dr. Anuchit Anuchitanukul, Suttipong Kanakakorn and Asst. Prof. Natawut  Nupairoj, adding, “The core concept is to leverage smartphone technologies to disrupt the next waves of infection by notifying individuals who have come into close contact with an infected person to take necessary actions promptly while allowing medical authorities to quickly identify and isolate infected individuals to prevent further transmission.”

 

The Mor Chana application is designed to identify individuals who have come into contact with COVID-19 patients using GPS and Bluetooth technology to trace their location. According to the developers, the medical authorities will be able to quickly identify the other users the confirmed case has been in close contact with, thus allowing for easier identification of potential risks and helping mitigate the spread. The app will also help prevent instances that may harm the wellbeing of medical authorities or slow down the process, particularly when patients cannot recall their contacts or deliberately hide their whereabouts.

 

“For general app users who are not medical professionals, they can use the app to identify the areas at risk and adjust travel plans accordingly. Once they get notified by the app, they will be able to take the necessary action sooner, such as monitoring their own health closely for related symptoms,” the development team added.

 

Mor Chana app has layers of privacy-preserving safeguards in place. All data collected is stored and displayed in an anonymous form, and users will only be asked to share these records only when contacted by the authorities as part of contact tracing investigations. The operation provided by Mor Chana strictly adheres to privacy and data protection laws.

An independent committee will be established to monitor the data management process and ensure that it fully complies with privacy rules as specified in the Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562. The app will only be active during the pandemic and all logs will be deleted immediately after the COVID-19 crisis ends.

 

The result analysis varies in different colors based on the risk level of each user.

 

In the near future when there is sufficient database, the color-based indication will be able to change on a real-time basis to immediately notify users of potential risks once a related COVID-19 case of the user is found.

 

Members of the public are encouraged to download Mor Chana app and actively check-in at locations they visit in order to ensure added protection for everyone they come into contact with and healthcare professionals. Buildings and retails are also encouraged to perform the QR code scanning with their customers or visitors to create as much extensive contact tracing as possible.

 

Minister of Digital Economy and Society Buddhipongse Punnakanta noted that contact tracing approach will be a key part of the country’s strategy to limit local transmission of COVID-19, and the government will be working with the public and private sectors to raise awareness of the Mor Chana application and encourage its adoption.

 

“I believe we all have the responsibility to look after ourselves as well as fellow members of the society in order to overcome the COVID-19 crisis together. The Mor Chana app is an elaborate operation jointly developed by parties from across the country with a common goal to ease the work of medical authorities and ensure the safer working environment for them. This extensive contact tracing approach will play a significant role in containing the spread of COVID-19 within Thailand. Everyone can now contribute to the society by downloading it to help stop the spread of the novel coronavirus and mitigate wider social and economic impacts,” said the minister.

 

Mor Chana application is now available for free in App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android.
 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-04-12

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Isnt google already doing this?...

my phone seems to know my health and where ive been even with gps off from pinging towers to share my info. 

They shared info recently showing they can tell who is isolating, what biz is still operating, whos interacting with who and such... Seems the location button makes no difference anymore. We are being watched anyway. Solong as google watches thailand watching me i feel more safe????

I do everything I can to stop google doing it, there's no way I'm going to invite the junta to do it

14 minutes ago, unamazedloso said:

Isnt google already doing this?...

my phone seems to know my health and where ive been even with gps off from pinging towers to share my info. 

They shared info recently showing they can tell who is isolating, what biz is still operating, whos interacting with who and such... Seems the location button makes no difference anymore. We are being watched anyway. Solong as google watches thailand watching me i feel more safe????

Who is watching Google and who is watching the ones watching Google and ---

https://apps.apple.com/th/app/allthaialert/id1505185420?_branch_match_id=719443404369189740&utm_source=10april&utm_campaign=10april&utm_medium=marketing

 

Looking at all the permissions that app wants on my phone, I guess I won't download it

1984.....George is calling.

Slippery slope to a bona fide surveillance state.

I have a True SIM card. Within the last couple of weeks, the upper left went from identifying “True” to “SafeAtHome.” I didn’t download anything. I wonder if it’s just a label change or have they started tracking? Inquiring minds want to know...

Yet more surveillance being slipped in under the cuddly guise of a mobile app for "security" reasons. People sit there using Google search on Chrome, Android, gmail, smart speakers in your front room they ask questions of and on and on ... go to Wiki and have a look at Google products, the list is endless. I stopped a while back using any of Google's products apart from Youtube (without signing in). I don't have a smart phone (although they can still ping it from a tower, I guess) just an old fashioned talk and text one and I use protonmail and duckduckgo for internet browsing in Firefox. Old saying, "If you can appease a man's conscience, then you can take away his freedom." That's what is slowly happening everywhere. It's very hard not to be online in some capacity but you can certainly lower your electronic/digital footprint.   

Another product looking for an application.

 

More small-scale developers looking for the main chance and hoping to get rich. A topical idea is always attractive.

3 hours ago, unamazedloso said:

Isnt google already doing this?...

my phone seems to know my health and where ive been even with gps off from pinging towers to share my info. 

They shared info recently showing they can tell who is isolating, what biz is still operating, whos interacting with who and such... Seems the location button makes no difference anymore. We are being watched anyway. Solong as google watches thailand watching me i feel more safe????

Try Brave, which has been really good for me.   I only use Google when I hadn't got a choice. 

1 hour ago, inactiveposter said:

I have a True SIM card. Within the last couple of weeks, the upper left went from identifying “True” to “SafeAtHome.” I didn’t download anything. I wonder if it’s just a label change or have they started tracking? Inquiring minds want to know...

Just a label change

11 minutes ago, ParkerN said:

Another product looking for an application.

 

More small-scale developers looking for the main chance and hoping to get rich. A topical idea is always attractive.

https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/star/registry/electronic-government-agency-public-organization-ega/

 

https://cebitasean.com/downloads/Development-Plan-MDES.pdf

 

1 hour ago, Brigand said:

Yet more surveillance being slipped in under the cuddly guise of a mobile app for "security" reasons. People sit there using Google search on Chrome, Android, gmail, smart speakers in your front room they ask questions of and on and on ... go to Wiki and have a look at Google products, the list is endless.

 

Yep, that'll be the pitch for government subsidies right enough. Love of money trumps love of integrity. TiT.

 

 

As Mr Berra once said,

'include me out'

So many people remain untested while carrying  the corona virus so i doubt this to be effective at all.

No English version? ????

5 hours ago, inactiveposter said:

I have a True SIM card. Within the last couple of weeks, the upper left went from identifying “True” to “SafeAtHome.” I didn’t download anything. I wonder if it’s just a label change or have they started tracking? Inquiring minds want to know...

same same except it says : dtac-T: Stay Safe 

9 hours ago, Brigand said:

Yet more surveillance being slipped in under the cuddly guise of a mobile app for "security" reasons. People sit there using Google search on Chrome, Android, gmail, smart speakers in your front room they ask questions of and on and on ... go to Wiki and have a look at Google products, the list is endless. I stopped a while back using any of Google's products apart from Youtube (without signing in). I don't have a smart phone (although they can still ping it from a tower, I guess) just an old fashioned talk and text one and I use protonmail and duckduckgo for internet browsing in Firefox. Old saying, "If you can appease a man's conscience, then you can take away his freedom." That's what is slowly happening everywhere. It's very hard not to be online in some capacity but you can certainly lower your electronic/digital footprint.   

Agreed, and if they are taking freedom - then compensation is in order.  Google and Facebook are advertising firms - follow the money; we are giving our information away for free.  Hopefully someday we'll learn that data is valuable and the consumer shouldn't be the product.  Until then; I'm with the Protonmail, DuckDuckGo and Firefox.  Can't eliminate Google but shouldn't make it easy to profit off me.

The best companies in the world with top security experts still manage to get hacked, and they expect someone to trust the security of an app developed in Thailand, with a central database developed in Thailand, sitting on servers in Thailand? Pigs will be flying alongside unicorns before I trust it.

17 hours ago, Brigand said:

Yet more surveillance being slipped in under the cuddly guise of a mobile app for "security" reasons. People sit there using Google search on Chrome, Android, gmail, smart speakers in your front room they ask questions of and on and on ... go to Wiki and have a look at Google products, the list is endless. I stopped a while back using any of Google's products apart from Youtube (without signing in). I don't have a smart phone (although they can still ping it from a tower, I guess) just an old fashioned talk and text one and I use protonmail and duckduckgo for internet browsing in Firefox. Old saying, "If you can appease a man's conscience, then you can take away his freedom." That's what is slowly happening everywhere. It's very hard not to be online in some capacity but you can certainly lower your electronic/digital footprint.   

How exactly do you have more freedom than the rest of us?

A post using a video from an unapproved YouTube source has been removed. 

On 4/13/2020 at 3:45 AM, SmartyMarty said:

How exactly do you have more freedom than the rest of us?

It's not any more freedom; it's doing one's best to avoid giving away too much personal information. 

On 4/12/2020 at 11:44 AM, overherebc said:

As Mr Berra once said,

'include me out'

Interestingly, throughout the 'darker' times when we saw hospitals fill up and actually worried about getting this disease, it was fine to go to the local Tesco Lotus Express (my local one is only about 15 metres square) or 7-11.

 

Today, after many days with virtually no new cases, we're not allowed to go into the tiniest Tesco Lotus Express without scanning or registering. Fortunately there's paper so you can write down 'Batman 03248655' to satisfy the demand for compliance without actually complying.

 

Please do not copy my details.

 

I am assuming this is due to the 'unsuitable' venues (non-essential shops in Malls) being upset about 'unfair' competition (excluding local shops like 7-11 and Tesco Express) in selling 'non-essential' items like bum guns to replace the one leaking in your bathroom etc.

 

So now I'm assuming this crackdown on all 7-11's (not applied to the barber - who is not registered) is of a similar nature. Very superficial in nature... 

 

If they're not willing to go all the way and BAN all shoppers without a mobile device, then it's truly ridiculous.

App is entirely in Thai, with a lengthy questionnaire to be filled out - but again, no English is required. We are either exempt, or the government is too inept to manage anything using English language because perhaps they all left school aged 13 with no education to join the army and get rich.

Has anyone been requested to use this app at a 7-11 or similar convenience store?  I just went to Big C and noone mentioned the app.

59 minutes ago, ben2talk said:

App is entirely in Thai, with a lengthy questionnaire to be filled out - but again, no English is required. We are either exempt, or the government is too inept to manage anything using English language because perhaps they all left school aged 13 with no education to join the army and get rich.

And imagine, they are expecting tourists at some point.. ????

6 minutes ago, tlock said:

Has anyone been requested to use this app at a 7-11 or similar convenience store?  I just went to Big C and noone mentioned the app.

Was asked in Tops in Central Bangna, I played the dumb card so I just wrote my name and phone number in a log book.

"Mor Chana"? State doctor? Why not call it "Dr. Mengele's Revenge"? ( OK saw from the OP screen it's supposed to be Dr. Victory, even worse)

 

No, ain't going to work.

https://medium.com/@tomaspueyo/coronavirus-how-to-do-testing-and-contact-tracing-bde85b64072e