Public urged to install MorChana Application

[webfact]

Public urged to install MorChana Application

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of a Digital Economy and Society is inviting all individuals to download the MorChana mobile application to better guard themselves and society against COVID-19.

 

With the new outbreak, the Digital Economy and Society Minister Puttipong Punnakanta recommends all to utilize available technology, like the application MorChana, ready for download on both Apple Store for iOS and Google Play for Android devices.

 

Once downloaded, users will be asked to answer a few assessment questions as well as allowing the application to gain access to their GPS location and bluetooth to be able to track their movements.

 

AI technology within the software will make a preliminary assessment, and give each person a color: Green for Low risk and Yellow for at Risk. The color-based indication will change on a real-time basis to immediately notify users of potential risks once a related COVID-19 case is found.

 

With a GPS tracking system, the software will continuously assess the area and movements using BIG data compiled and recorded, as well as Bluetooth technology to communicate with other devices equipped with the software, to continuously guard each person against coming into contact with the virus. Entering a danger zone, the application will send a notification to alert a user to avoid the area.

 

Meanwhile, if a user’s profile turns either orange, which signifies that a person is a possible COVID-19 carrier, they are asked to go to a hospital, and keep a safe distance from others.

 

With the application installed and running, users will be able to share their information by having medical personnel scan a QR code within their software, reducing the tracing process. According to the developers, medical authorities will be able to quickly identify other users a confirmed case has been in close contact with, thus allowing for easier identification of potential risks and helping mitigate the spread of the virus.

 

In regard to security concerns, the MorChana 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 if contacted by the authorities as part of contact tracing investigations. The operation provided by MorChana strictly adheres to privacy and data protection laws. The app will only be active during the pandemic and all logs will be deleted immediately after the COVID-19 crisis ends.

 

Puttipong hopes that as many individuals make use of the technology, he will be able to enhance the applications’ ability to guard them against becoming infected, but if infected, they are able to receive prompt treatment.

 

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2021-01-07

 

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[ThailandRyan]

Why install it when you can scan the QR code.  Oh yes 24/7 tracking like the GPS on your phone

[RichardColeman]

10 minutes ago, webfact said:

Meanwhile, if a user’s profile turns either orange, which signifies that a person is a possible COVID-19 carrier, they are asked to go to a hospital, and keep a safe distance from others.

Can't see a farang downloading an app that could lead them to paying 10,000's baht to a hospital

[Gumballl]

Here in the US, iPhone users have Settings -> Exposure Notifications

 

No way in heck would I install a 3rd-party app onto my phone.

[Crossy]

This must be an updated version, the current one doesn't use BlueTooth (there's no update available either).

 

When you install it only give it location and bluetooth access "when the app is active", but in reality does it really matter who knows where your phone is? Google tracks it 24/7 anyway (assuming Android, who really knows what Apple do).

 

It is rather more convenient than using your QR scanner and the website, it's a lot faster and you don't have to scan when you exit the location, just hit "Check Out".

 

But, at least at present, it's entirely up to you.

 

[Somtamnication]

No thanks. I am being tracked enough with the other stuff I use!

[FritsSikkink]

20 minutes ago, Gumballl said:

Here in the US, iPhone users have Settings -> Exposure Notifications

 

No way in heck would I install a 3rd-party app onto my phone.

There are loads on it already

[WineOh]

Can I do my 90 day reports on it?

If not they can get stuffed. 

[Whale]

What difference between Mor Chana and Thai Chana?

[WineOh]

2 minutes ago, Whale said:

Mor Chana

Mor Chana is Thai slang for 'Invasive Toolkit' ????

Edited January 7, 2021 by Liverpoolfan

[tonray]

2 hours ago, Crossy said:

Google tracks it 24/7 anyway (assuming Android, who really knows what Apple do)

Certainly the truth...every month Google Maps sends me a summary of where I've been asking me to review various restaurants I simply walked by. Not hard to find me apparently

[Caldera]

Well I'd rather not, as long as I can choose. I'll just keep scanning the ThaiChana QR codes.

 

[bluesofa]

50 minutes ago, Liverpoolfan said:

Mor Chana is Thai slang for 'Invasive Toolkit' ????

'Invasive Toolkit'   Sounds 'Mor' like a prostate examination.

[sungod]

No doubt those who photo their lunch and then post across social media with their location will claim this app is invasive, (whilst they are chatting on 'We Chat' with their friends.)

[bluesofa]

3 hours ago, Crossy said:

This must be an updated version, the current one doesn't use BlueTooth (there's no update available either).

 

When you install it only give it location and bluetooth access "when the app is active", but in reality does it really matter who knows where your phone is? Google tracks it 24/7 anyway (assuming Android, who really knows what Apple do).

 

It is rather more convenient than using your QR scanner and the website, it's a lot faster and you don't have to scan when you exit the location, just hit "Check Out".

 

But, at least at present, it's entirely up to you.

 

Interesting. When you said, "you don't have to scan when you exit the location, just hit "Check Out"", do you mean need to do that with the MorChana app as well as the ThaiChana? I thought it was all-singing-all-dancing?

 

I'm 'guessing' here, the reason it wants to use bluetooth (only a 10-30m-ish range) is to detect other app users close by, then hopefully calculate any risk associated with that.

 

Also you said, "location and bluetooth access "when the app is active"". Can you deactivate it, or will it - like some other apps - just start itself up again?

 

I looked at some of the MorChana user comments on Android Playstore, a couple of them were complaining it drained the battery too much via bluetooth use. Whether that is adjustable, I wouldn't know.

 

[John Drake]

Oops. For a moment, I misread that as MoreChina and ThaiChina.

[jackdd]

No thanks, I don't want to have to pay several thousand Baht for a test just because somebody with covid might have walked near me. I also don't want to spend 2 weeks in hospital even though I don't have any symptoms and be forced to pay for it.

Edited January 7, 2021 by jackdd

[Bender Rodriguez]

nobody can force me to have a mobile phone with me, and even, the app does not work on my old Iphone 5

 

not wanting to spend any time in a hospital as I take care of my HEALTH

[Burma Bill]

Would be of no concern to me with my 3G mobile phone - just like the Thai Chana!!

[Crossy]

Hmmm, Confused of Bangkok here.

 

There are two apps. The original ThaiChana which has been in use for ages, GPS but no bluetooth, and the new, rather more invasive MorChana, which I'm going to install on my "spare" phone to see just what it does. 

 

I have no problem using ThaiChana, MorChana is a different ball game.

 

EDIT Installed MorChana, read the terms and conditions, uninstalled MorChana.

[bluesofa]

17 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Hmmm, Confused of Bangkok here.

 

There are two apps. The original ThaiChana which has been in use for ages, GPS but no bluetooth, and the new, rather more invasive MorChana, which I'm going to install on my "spare" phone to see just what it does. 

 

I have no problem using ThaiChana, MorChana is a different ball game.

Dear Confused of Bangkok,

It was definitely the MorChana app I was referring to regarding bluetooth and the user comments about excessive battery use, hence my querying about being able to disable it.

Not that I've installed yet, being a hermit.

Yours,

Disgusted Tunbridge Wells

[NCC1701A]

"I am not a number, I am a free man!"

 

Number 6, The Prisoner. 1967. 

[Crossy]

29 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

Dear Confused of Bangkok,

It was definitely the MorChana app I was referring to regarding bluetooth and the user comments about excessive battery use, hence my querying about being able to disable it.

Not that I've installed yet, being a hermit.

Yours,

Disgusted Tunbridge Wells

 

Hi Disgusted.

As installed it wants Camera, Location, Physical activity, Storage (all of which my phone auto-denied) nothing about BlueTooth (which I do have enabled for my headset). It just wants too much personal information for me to let it run.

Confused

[bluesofa]

14 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

"I am not a number, I am a free man!"

 

Number 6, The Prisoner. 1967. 

Ah! Patrick McGoohan. I still have the complete series of seventeen episodes.

I remember there was never any constipation, as there was always a new Number 2 every week.

[bluesofa]

21 minutes ago, Crossy said:

 

Hi Disgusted.

As installed it wants Camera, Location, Physical activity, Storage (all of which my phone auto-denied) nothing about BlueTooth (which I do have enabled for my headset). It just wants too much personal information for me to let it run.

Confused

OK, I can only quote what I read about it last night. I've just had another look again:

 

A few of the reviews mentioned MorChana had too much battery usage.

One person said you can save you battery when at home by disabling bluetooth, but don't forget to enable it when you go out. [Hence my earlier comment about bluetooth]

A lot reviewers said it used too much battery and wanted to access your GPS constantly, not only when running.

 

What does "Physical activity' cover? (Will I regret asking that?)

[Crossy]

1 minute ago, bluesofa said:

What does "Physical activity' cover? (Will I regret asking that?)

 

Probably!

I actually have no idea what "Physical activity" is all about, never seen an App ask for it before.

 

I'll stick with the ThaiChana app, I rarely go to the sort of places that spread the bug anyway (although I did ride the BTS this morning, it was empty).

[GeorgeCross]

Quote

Government spokesman Thaweesin Visanuyothin said that a new order from the government has been implemented and has made it mandatory to socially distance, wear a mask, and to use a tracing application.

Those who are found with Covid-19 and not using the tracing applications could face punishment by law.

 

by law now. enjoy! yours sincerely, big brother.

 

src: https://www.thaienquirer.com/22554/thailand-discovers-305-new-coronavirus-infections/

 

 

[bluesofa]

8 minutes ago, GeorgeCross said:

Quote

Government spokesman Thaweesin Visanuyothin said that a new order from the government has been implemented and has made it mandatory to socially distance, wear a mask, and to use a tracing application.

Those who are found with Covid-19 and not using the tracing applications could face punishment by law.

by law now. enjoy! yours sincerely, big brother.

src: https://www.thaienquirer.com/22554/thailand-discovers-305-new-coronavirus-infections/

That is frightening.

Assuming it isn't false news from the government (no gambling dens in Rayong or Bangkok, etc).

 

Am I taking it to extremes now...

Will we see those in hospital with covid be charged for 'wilfully not buying a mobile phone', or one 'not up to date enough to run the required government app'?

Never mind not being tech savvy enough to install and operate one, or even 'negligently allowing their battery to go flat'?

Big Brother IS watching you.

[sungod]

1 hour ago, Crossy said:

 

Hi Disgusted.

As installed it wants Camera, Location, Physical activity, Storage (all of which my phone auto-denied) nothing about BlueTooth (which I do have enabled for my headset). It just wants too much personal information for me to let it run.

Confused

 When I installed Thai Channa, it just asked for camera permission so I could scan QR codes. Pretty sure it never asked for GPS/location. My understanding of Thai Channa is its a simple scan in and out of a location, its registered with your phone number so they can call you.

 

Mor Channa is more invasive and live time.

[Crossy]

3 minutes ago, sungod said:

When I installed Thai Channa, it just asked for camera permission so I could scan QR codes. Pretty sure it never asked for GPS/location.

 

Mine definitely has Location permission (when the app is running) no idea if it actually uses it. Yes it's Thaichana (with the blue fist icon).