MorChana app will not reveal personal info, promises DES minister

By The Nation

 

Buddhipongse Punnakanta

 

The MorChana smartphone application will only track the movements of each individual and not make their personal information public, the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta said on Friday.

 

He said the application had be designed specifically to protect people’s data, for instance, it only displays a computer code instead of the user’s name.

 

He added that only the Public Health Ministry’s Department of Disease Control has access to the data, adding that the app aims to raise an alarm if users enter a high-risk area.

 

Also read: Govt prescribes MorChana app as weapon against virus second wave

 

The minister also said that if everyone in a restaurant or crowded areas use the app, they will know immediately if a high-risk person has been in the area over the past 14 days.

 

He also said the app will help shop operators protect themselves by marking customers safe.

 

Only a few steps are needed to register, he said, adding that the actual image of the user is only required when travelling between provinces.

 

He said the MorChana app was an option for people with smartphones, adding that those who don’t have a smartphone can still record their movements so the relevant agency can key it into the system.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30400923

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2021-01-08

 

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12 minutes ago, webfact said:

MorChana app will not reveal personal info, promises DES minister

Promises eh .. why am I not enrushed with an overwhelming feeling of " phew that's ok then " confidence in said promise .. 

I'm convinced!

17 minutes ago, webfact said:

The MorChana smartphone application will only track the movements of each individual and not make their personal information public, the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta said on Friday.

'and not make their personal information public'  

 

I still have some information immigration gave me a couple of years ago. The details were handwritten by the IO on a scrap of 'waste' paper.

The paper happened to be the plain side of an extension application written by a German national, showing most of his name and passport details. Still, never mind eh.

 

 

For those who don't want to install MorChana in order to read them, here are the Ts&Cs.

If you are happy with the government collecting and storing such data for the duration of the pandemic (in other words forever) go ahead and install it, otherwise stick with the less invasive ThaiChana app.

 

 

34 minutes ago, webfact said:

who don’t have a smartphone can still record their movements

Try to track me with this one 

1 minute ago, Tarteso said:

Try to track me with this one

 

If you are using it we know exactly where you are, to within the length of the cord

 

Fetching my coat ???? 

1 minute ago, Crossy said:

 

If you are using it we know exactly where you are, to within the length of the cord

 

Fetching my coat ???? 

The best of the policy that you post;

 

We may occasionally make changues to the data protection policy.... ????????????????

Cant lie straight in bed this lot

7 hours ago, Crossy said:

For those who don't want to install MorChana in order to read them, here are the Ts&Cs.

If you are happy with the government collecting and storing such data for the duration of the pandemic (in other words forever) go ahead and install it, otherwise stick with the less invasive ThaiChana app.

 

 

 

 

They obviously have a copy of 1984, just happening a bit latter than planned.

Well, if you say so, then it must be true. 

Can they force you to buy a phone if you travel without one? 

Would you buy a second hand car from this guy?

That minister does not know the color of white rice.....

Don’t  know any country in Europe where such app was useful ????

17 hours ago, webfact said:

He said the MorChana app was an option for people with smartphones, adding that those who don’t have a smartphone can still record their movements so the relevant agency can key it into the system.

So it is optional? Using the app also requires that you have data roaming I believe. I don't have data roaming because it allows companies to load things into my 'phone which cost me money and/or a lot of trouble to stop. Aside from that, the man who says my personal data is safe is.....a politician. 

 

16 hours ago, Crossy said:

For those who don't want to install MorChana in order to read them, here are the Ts&Cs.

If you are happy with the government collecting and storing such data for the duration of the pandemic (in other words forever) go ahead and install it, otherwise stick with the less invasive ThaiChana app.

 

 

1 ThaiChana and MorChana are different. As has been pointed out a million times you don't need to download ThaiChana as an app. You simply need a QR code scanner. But to suggest it's an alternative option to MorChana is basically completely wrong.

 

2 If you have a smartphone, I don't think you have much choice in whether you download MorChana. You are obliged by law to do so, and have it installed and working.

 

Sorry, but people scream about how useless governments are at fighting this thing, yet aren't prepared to do anything themselves to help. As somebody else pointed out, if you've lived here for any length of time, you will already have handed over probably far more data on yourself than this app requests. But because it's digital, and input is required, people go into shock horror overdrive and ridiculous moral outrage. 1984? Give me a break!

2 minutes ago, bradiston said:

You are obliged by law to do so, and have it installed and working.

 

Please point at said law.

 

By all means load it on your phone, it is your choice. I and many others will stick with ThaiChana either the App or the QR on entry to whatever venue as is (at least currently) our choice.

 

10 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Please point at said law.

Didn't someone say you would be locked up for not having this app in your smart phone?

 

 

Quote

He said the MorChana app was an option for people with smartphones, adding that those who don’t have a smartphone can still record their movements so the relevant agency can key it into the system.

Huh ?
First off they say it's illegal to not use the app and will enforce strict penalties. Now they say if you don't have a smart phone you can just keep track of your movements so the "relevant agency" can key it into the system ?

What "relevant agency" and do they actually expect people to show up somewhere every (day/week/trip out of the house) to get someone to "key" their details into the "system" ?

I'm guessing there's a whole lot of people out there who won't use the app at all for various reasons. Like the overstayers, illegal immigrants and assorted criminals.

I have it installed. No big deal for me (or most people for that matter). It doesn't know my name or address (but they could see where the phone is sitting idle for long periods and deduce that is where I'm living - after they wade through data from the millions of other phones doing the same thing)  and if it wants to track how many times I go to the grocery store or 7/11, have at it.
The app has no clue if you are a "foreigner" except that you probably chose the "English" option. It doesn't tell them if you are a Brit or Burmese. Canadian or Chinese. 
(I have Thai friends that often select the "English" language option on a menu as they tell me quite often it is easier to understand than the Thai version.)

And I really have to laugh at any foreigner in Thailand crying about "privacy" and their "personal information" because they think the gov't is going to use it for nefarious purposes.

They ALREADY have all your personal details !!! You name, address, phone number, date of birth, passport number and banking information !! Unless of course you have somehow entered the country without showing anyone your passport or getting a visa or doing an extension or getting residency certificate (and so on).

It's a joke that people are worried that some flunky in the gov't is sifting through the data from millions of phones to try and identify some "fat old white guy" to see how many times he goes to a certain bar in a certain part of town.

The ones who are worried are probably the same ones who try really hard to avoid any checkpoints or do anything that might require them to show their passport.

Using this app isn't giving up any more "rights" or privacy than you already have just by being here. However, it may help contain the spread of the disease and considering how many of you are in the "prime risk" category (for people most likely to die from the disease if they get it), I'd think most of you would want to avoid unnecessary risk.

 

19 minutes ago, Muhendis said:

Didn't someone say you would be locked up for not having this app in your smart phone?

No ......

 

 

 

 

Apparently, according to a very recent news article, it is no longer mandatory to have the app installed.

"Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday urged people to download onto their smartphone a Covid-19 contact-tracing app called "Mor Chana". However, there would be no punishments for those who do not download it, so long as they inform officials of their travel plans when crossing provincial borders."

(Bangkok Post - 8 Jan) (Not sure if I can link a BP story.)

37 minutes ago, Crossy said:

 

Please point at said law.

 

"Its use is stipulated under regulation number 17 newly issued under the executive decree for public administration in emergency situations, imposed to control Covid-19."
https://www.chiangraitimes.com/thailand-national-news/news-asia-thailand/morchana-location-tracking-app-now-required-in-5-thailand-provinces/

(They copied the article from the Bangkok Post.)
 

Yeah, I see the BKK Post article now, good that there's a link to an outlet we can quote.

 

We're not in affected province, at least not yet.

 

Of course the same article quotes the PM (on Thursday) "Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday also urged people to download and use the app,  but said there would no penalty for not doing so. So long as people inform officials of their travel plans when crossing provincial borders in Thailand."

 

My bold.

16 minutes ago, Kerryd said:

"Its use is stipulated under regulation number 17 newly issued under the executive decree for public administration in emergency situations, imposed to control Covid-19."
https://www.chiangraitimes.com/thailand-national-news/news-asia-thailand/morchana-location-tracking-app-now-required-in-5-thailand-provinces/

(They copied the article from the Bangkok Post.)
 

 

Thanks for that.

I'm big enough to eat my earlier words. It's (at least today) required by law in five provinces Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Trat, Rayong and Samut Sakhon.

Coming soon to a location near you ????

 

1 minute ago, Crossy said:

 

Thanks for that.

I'm big enough to eat my earlier words. It's (at least today) required by law in five provinces Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Trat, Rayong and Samut Sakhon.

Coming soon to a location near you ????

 

Yeah but literally minutes after they said it was "law" they rescinded it (due to a huge outcry from Thai people). Now you are just "encouraged" to use it (unless you know you have the disease and decide to travel around and conceal your movements).

I can't find those "regulations" either. Been searching various links and news articles and the CCSA website (what little of it there is) and the PR Thai Government facebook page and all they do is reference the regulations.

9 hours ago, Virt said:

Can they force you to buy a phone if you travel without one? 

I assumes they would give you one for free, with the app installed and an internet package.????

24 minutes ago, Crossy said:

 

Thanks for that.

I'm big enough to eat my earlier words. It's (at least today) required by law in five provinces Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Trat, Rayong and Samut Sakhon.

Coming soon to a location near you ????

 

'I'm big enough to eat my earlier words'    Why, have you been using caps lock again Crossy?
(sorry!)