ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
Comment

Japan's flawed COVID-19 tracing app is digital black eye for Tokyo

Software failed to notify at-risk Android users for 4 months without a fix

A flaw in Japan's government-backed COVID-19 contact-tracing app was overlooked for months. (Photo by Yo Inoue)

TOKYO -- When Japan rolled out its contact-tracing app last summer to fight the coronavirus, nobody expected that a major flaw affecting about one-third of users would go overlooked for more than four months.

The problem arose in September in the Android version of the app, which has been downloaded about 7.7 million times, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said Wednesday. People who came into contact with those who tested positive for COVID-19 received no notifications.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more