From June 28, the first batch of TraceTogether tokens will be distributed to seniors not digitally connected and at higher risk from Covid-19.
According to a government media release, TraceTogether tokens will extend the protection provided by digital contact tracing tools to as many people in Singapore as possible, including those who may not own or prefer not to use a mobile phone.
Each TraceTogether token will have a unique QR code and will be personalised for the recipient’s individual use only.
The token works by exchanging Bluetooth signals with other TraceTogether tokens, or mobile phones running the TraceTogether app nearby.
The data of close contacts will be encrypted and kept in the token for no more than 25 days.
The user of the token will be alerted by an authorised officer from the Ministry of Health (MOH) contact tracing team if he was detected to be a close contact of a person infected with Covid-19.
The token has an estimated battery life of six to nine months and does not require any charging.
The token has no GPS and does not capture geolocation data. It captures only proximity data of other tokens or TraceTogether apps via Bluetooth technology.
The token and the TraceTogether app are designed to interoperate with each other.
The token has no Internet or cellular connectivity, so the encrypted data cannot be remotely extracted from the device either.
The user is contacted for the data download only if he is confirmed to be infected with Covid-19.
TraceTogether token users who require assistance with their device can contact the support helpdesk by emailing support@tracetogether.gov.sg or calling the hotline at 69736511.
Here's are two nifty infographics:
Top photo via Govtech and media release