If a younger version of yourself time-travelled from June 2009 to June 2020, you’d probably think we were living in a dystopian novel.
Empty streets, people being arrested for leaving their homes without an excuse, and contact-tracing devices.
For those that don’t know, the TraceTogether token is a portable and wearable contact tracing device.
The authorities decided to develop these tokens because many residents here had not downloaded TraceTogether, a contact tracing application.
It was believed that the contact tracing device would be a tiny coin you could place in your pocket or wallet, especially after this image went viral:
But it looks more like a Digimon device or a pager.
Different From What We’ve Expected
In a post on Facebook, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan detailed the development of the device to allow other people to “tear down” (i.e. check) the device.
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For those of you who are too young to know what pagers or Digimon devices are, let me offer a glimpse into the past:
As you can see, the new TraceTogether token is of a similar size and even shape.
So, I guess, 90s kids can relive their childhoods?
Will Be Delivered In June
Two weeks ago, the government announced that the first batch of contact tracing tokens will be delivered in the second half of June.
It will work in the same way as the TraceTogether app, exchanging and logging Bluetooth signals between nearby devices that are in close proximity.
The token will also enable young children and the elderly to take part in contact tracing efforts.
Around 1.8 million users downloaded the TraceTogether app, but at least three-quarters of the population needs to use it in order for it to be effective.
This is why the authorities developed the TraceTogether token, to ensure that all residents can be a part of contact tracing efforts.
Still, you must be concerned.
The gahmen is going to track my every movement? No way!
Well, it’s not exactly what we think.
Not A Tracking Device
In response to privacy concerns, Dr Balakrishnan said that the TraceTogether token is not a tracking device nor an electronic tag.
“…to be technical, there is no GPS chip on the device. There isn’t even any Internet or mobile telephone connectivity,” he said.
The gahmen can’t track your location and movement without a GPS chip, of course. And without internet connectivity, there is “no possibility” of data being uploaded “without the participation and consent of the user,” said the minister.
The device only captures Bluetooth proximity data, he said, which means it works like the app.
Moreover, the data will only be used by the authorities if you contact Covid-19. Otherwise, it never leaves the device, is encrypted, and will automatically be deleted after 25 days.
And only a “small number” of authorised personnel will have access to the data for contact tracing purposes.
“Again I want to emphasise, there is no electronic tagging. There is no geolocation tracking. This is only purely focused on Bluetooth proximity data, and only used for contact tracing.”
Not Compulsory…Yet
When asked if citizens will be required by law to bring these tokens with them whenever they leave the house, Dr Balakrishnan said:
“I’m going to do my best to try and push the participation rates up without having to go down the mandatory route”.
If we don’t mind carrying a big-ass smartphone with us so we can watch YouTubers watching other YouTubers do stupid things while we’re on the MRT, surely we can find space for a tiny, pager-like device in our pockets or bags?
What do you think?
Reader Bao: Does it come in pink?
I give up.
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