Phones Without Aarogya Setu App Will Draw Punishment in Noida

The central government developed Aarogya Setu app to connect essential health services with the people over the fight against COVID-19.

Noida| The Indian government has established a new order that imposes punishments on those who don’t have the Aarogya Setu app installed on their phones while stepping out in public spaces in Noida and Greater Noida.

Those found without the Aarogya Setu app on their phones will be assumed in violation of the COVID-19 lockdown regulations, and hence face a penalty for defying the norms, the order states.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, Ashutosh Dwivedi said: “If smartphone users do not have the ‘Aarogya Setu’ app installed on their mobile phones, then that will be punishable and considered a violation of the lockdown directions.”

People going outside without a face mask or spitting in public places will also face action, as per the police in Gautam Buddh Nagar in western Uttar Pradesh.

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Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi had raised data and privacy concerns for the citizens using the Aarogya Setu Application. He added it is similar to spying on people.

The Aarogya Setu app is being considered as mandatory by the centre as its contact tracing solution. While it has drawn many privacy concerns in recent times, the centre has stated that the app does not defy any privacy norms.

The Aarogya Setu app was intended for voluntary use when it was launched on April 2 as a “sophisticated surveillance system”. Now it has been made compulsory for all government and private employees.

If a private firm employee is found without the app on their phone, the head of the company will be held accountable, the central government has said.