StaySafe.ph removes GPS, Bluetooth contact tracing to allay concerns

StaySafe.ph said its developer, Multisys Technologies Corp., ensured zero surveillance in the app as the current version now runs without the GPS and Bluetooth-enabled contact tracing features. The developer also enhanced the app’s QR code security to remove possible data exposure.

The software solutions company has also intensified the technical support that it deployed to assist the government in the nationwide implementation of StaySafe.ph, following the release of Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases’ (IATF) Resolution 85 on November 26.

The resolution states that StaySafe.ph is now mandatory for national government agencies and local government units (LGUs), as well as promoted for use in all private establishments, facilities and offices. This will unify and centralize all digital contact tracing data and make it more effective as other existing contact tracing applications are also enjoined to integrate with StaySafe.ph’s system.

Contact Tracing Czar and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said, “These efforts have been done to build public confidence and trust in our digital contact tracing efforts. We appeal for everyone’s participation and support as we continue and reinforce our pandemic mitigation efforts this 2021.”

On top of deploying the necessary technical assistance, MultiSys is also currently shouldering all the fees to maintain the cloud services needed by StaySafe.ph.

Almirol shared, “We are glad and beyond thankful to see an ever-swelling digital bayanihan spirit among our kababayans, which has ever since been our team’s call for unity. Our country is still suffering and we’re far from total recovery after taking enormous tolls in these challenging times.”

As of date, StaySafe.ph has over 8 million users from both mobile app, web app and smartphone camera QR scanning; and more than 700 LGUs and over 100,000 companies and establishments have adopted its built-in digital logbook and QR code scanning features to protect their employees, visitors and customers. This provides an efficient way to replace the manual logging of visitors’ health check, which requires the use of pen and paper that can potentially transmit the virus.