Japanese government launched a smartphone app on June 19 that notifies users when they may have contact with someone infected with Coronavirus. The smartphone app called “COCOA” records contact when someone else with the app installed stays within a distance of one meter for 15 minutes or more. If a person’s infection is confirmed on the app of that individual recorded contacts will be notified. The app uses Bluetooth technology that enables short-distance wireless communication without sharing personal information. Contacts will be automatically deleted after 14 days. Users can install the app for free. 

While the app potentially raises privacy concerns, the government says it was designed with personal information privacy protection, and personally identifiable data are not collected from users. “It won’t collect personal data,” said Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and encourage people to download the app to help to track the route of COVID19. 

COCOA is ranking number 1 in the App Store of media in 2 weeks with Japanese and English 2 language support functions. Until July 9th, the total number of downloads are about 6,320,000 in total. After downloading the application, if a user tests positive, other users who come in close distance will receive an alert from the app. Not only Japan, but many countries also develop their own application to prevent the infection. Please find the detail here: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/cocoa_00138.html