Hong Kong residents find ways around mandatory contact tracing

Fake versions of government app proliferate amid distrust

20210222 HONG KONG LeaveHomeSafe main image

Many in Hong Kong are leery of the government's LeaveHomeSafe contact tracing app, both because of heightened distrust in their own government and because of Singapore's experience. © Reuters

MICHELLE CHAN, Nikkei staff writer

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong residents wary of potentially sharing data about their daily activities with the government are finding ways to circumvent new contact-tracing requirements.

In allowing cinemas, gyms and other businesses to reopen last week and restaurants to offer dinner service, the government made it mandatory for residents to "check in" at entry by scanning a QR code with an official app called "LeaveHomeSafe" or by providing their contact details directly to the business.

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