Cybernews
  • News
  • Editorial
  • Security
  • Privacy
    • What is a VPN?
    • What is malware?
    • How safe are password managers?
    • Are VPNs legal?
    • More resources
    • Strong password generator
    • Personal data leak checker
    • Antivirus software
    • Best VPN services
    • Password managers
    • Secure email providers
    • Best website builders
  • Follow
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Linkedin
    • Flipboard
    • Newsletter

© 2021 CyberNews - Latest tech news, product reviews, and analyses.

Our readers help us create quality content. If you purchase via links on our site, we may receive affiliate commissions. Learn more

Home » News » Japan’s COVID-19 app failed to pass on some contact warnings

Japan’s COVID-19 app failed to pass on some contact warnings

by Reuters
3 February 2021
in News
0
Japan’s COVID-19 app failed to pass on some contact warnings

Pedestrians wearing protective masks amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, make their way in Tokyo, Japan, February 2, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

6
SHARES

Japan’s COVID-19 tracking application for some smartphone users has had a malfunction since September and has failed to pass on some notifications of suspected contact with people infected with the virus, the health ministry said on Wednesday.

The ministry did not say if the problem, which came with an update of the app, had contributed to the spread of the virus but it said it was working to fix it by the middle of this month.

“I am truly sorry for the inconvenience caused and for the loss of trust,” state broadcaster NHK cited the health minister, Norihisa Tamura, as saying.

NHK reported that the bug affected about 30% of Android phone users.

The app, named COCOA for Contact-Confirming Application, was designed by Microsoft Corp and is available for Apple Inc’s iPhone as well as devices using Google’s Android software.

The programme has been downloaded almost 25 million times in Japan since its launch last summer and has recorded about 10,000 positive coronavirus cases, according to ministry data. 

It uses Bluetooth signals to detect contact with nearby users lasting 15 minutes or more. If a user later tests positive for the virus their contacts can be traced and notified through the programme. 

The Android-related bug failed to deliver notifications of those contacts, the ministry said in a statement. 

Japan has had 390,000 cases of the coronavirus and 5,794 deaths and is desperate to stamp out flare-ups of infection as it prepares for the summer Olympic Games, due to begin on July 23.

(Reporting by Rocky Swift; Editing by Edmund Blair, Robert Birsel)

Share6TweetShareShare
Next Post
CyberGhost VPN review

CyberGhost VPN review

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Editor's choice

COMb data leak - Mother of all breaches
News

COMB: largest breach of all time leaked online with 3.2 billion records

by Bernard Meyer
12 February 2021
37

It's being called the biggest breach of all time and the mother of all breaches: COMB, or the Compilation of...

Read more
14 million Amazon and eBay accounts sold online in new leak

14 million alleged Amazon and eBay account details sold online

17 February 2021
The hype around quantum computing: it’s not too early to get in

The hype around quantum computing: it’s not too early to get in

15 February 2021
Facebook phishing campaign that tricked nearly 450,000 users in Germany is now spreading in the UK

Facebook phishing campaign that tricked nearly 450,000 users in Germany is now spreading in the UK

15 February 2021
Cyberpunk 2077 maker CD Projekt Red has GWENT source code leaked after ransomware attack

Cyberpunk 2077 maker CD Projekt Red has GWENT source code leaked after ransomware attack

10 February 2021
  • Categories
    • News
    • Editorial
    • Security
    • Privacy
  • Reviews
    • Antivirus Software
    • Password Managers
    • Best VPN Services
    • Secure Email Providers
    • Website Builders
  • Tools
    • Password generator
    • Personal data leak checker
  • Engage
    • About Us
    • Send Us a Tip
    • Careers
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Linkedin
  • Flipboard
  • Newsletter
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Send Us a Tip
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Vulnerability Disclosure

© 2021 CyberNews - Latest tech news, product reviews, and analyses.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy Policy.

Home

News

Editorial

Security

Privacy

Resources

  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Send Us a Tip

© 2020 CyberNews – Latest tech news, product reviews, and analyses.

Subscribe for Security Tips and CyberNews Updates
Email address is required. Provided email address is not valid. You have been successfully subscribed to our newsletter!