Aarogya Setu app developed in govt and personal collaboration : Centre

The Aarogya Setu contract tracing app has been developed in a collaborative effort of presidency and personal sector, clarified the Central authorities on Wednesday.

The clarification got here after Chief Information Commission (CIC) sought rationalization from the National Informatics Centre for claiming that it didn’t have any information concerning who made the app.

In its response, the Centre mentioned Aarogya Setu has additionally been appreciated by World Health Organisation.

Earlier right now, CIC issued a show-cause discover to central public info officers (CPIOs) of MEITY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology), NIC (National Informatics Centre) and NeGD (National e-Governance Division) for withholding info and offering an evasive reply to a RTI software on Aarogya Setu.

The CIC got here into motion after the NIC, NeGD and MeitY didn’t furnish info concerning the creation and improvement of the Aarogya Setu app by an RTI. According to the complainant, Saurav Das, the RTI was filed with the NIC which categorically said that it “doesn’t maintain any info” concerning the creation of the applying. The authorities at NIC then transferred the question to different associated our bodies which additionally didn’t elicit a response on time. Due to the delay, the CCI has requested MeITY, NeGD and NIC to stay current earlier than it on 24 November to elucidate why the federal government our bodies shouldn’t be penalized for the given response.

“As per the orders, of the CIC, CPIOs of MeitY, NeGD and NIC have been directed to appear on 24th November 2020. MeitY is taking necessary steps to comply with the orders of the CIC,” the Centre mentioned in a press release.

The Centre in its clarification mentioned that there ought to be little doubt with regard to the Aarogya Setu App and its position in serving to include Covid-19 pandemic in India.

“As was announced on 2nd April 2020, Aarogya Setu App was launched by Government of India in public private partnership mode to bring people of India together in its fight against COVID-19,” it said.

“The Aarogya Setu App was developed in a record time of around 21 days, to respond to the exigencies of the pandemic with lockdown restrictions only for the objective of building a Made in India Contact Tracing App with the best of Indian minds from Industry, Academia and Government, working round the clock to build a robust, scalable and secure App,” it additional said.

Since then, common press releases and updates have been issued on Aarogya Setu App together with making the supply code accessible in Open area on twenty sixth May 2020. “The names of all those associated with the development of the App and management of the App ecosystem at various stages was shared when the code was released in Open/Public Domain and the same was shared widely in media also,” the Centre mentioned.
Aarogya Setu app has been developed in probably the most clear method and all particulars and paperwork together with privateness coverage and Aarogya Setu information entry & Knowledge Sharing Protocols issued on eleventh May 2020 has been uploaded on the Aarogya Setu Portal – aarogyasetu.gov.in, the Centre additional said.
The app has been downloaded by greater than 16.23 crore customers and has vastly augmented the efforts of entrance line well being staff within the struggle in opposition to COVID-19.

It has helped establish Bluetooth contacts of COVID optimistic customers and issued alerts for serving to individuals to remain protected. These Bluetooth contacts have been suggested for warning, quarantine or testing relying on the extent of publicity to COVID-19 optimistic consumer, the Centre knowledgeable. “Amongst those who have been advised testing, almost 25% have tested positive. This is much higher compared to the overall positivity rate of 7-8%.”

In addition, Aarogya Setu ITIHAS interface with location information has helped establish rising hotspots the place proactive steps have been taken by well being authorities and administration with the intention to include the unfold of the virus, the Centre mentioned.