Hong Kong Citizens Rush to Obtain Burner Phones as Installation of 'COVID Tracking App' is Encouraged

Deepening Distrust in Authorities
Hong Kong Residents Prepare Burner Phones for COVID App Installation

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] As the installation of a COVID-19 contact tracing application (app) is being encouraged in Hong Kong, people are turning to purchasing burner phones.

Due to the large-scale anti-China protests in 2019 and the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (Hong Kong Security Law) in 2020, distrust toward the authorities has deepened among Hong Kong residents, who have expressed concerns about information leaks through the COVID-19 contact tracing app.

According to major foreign media on the 18th (local time), ahead of the Lunar New Year (Chunje) and with the easing of social distancing measures announced, sales of low-cost older smartphones have increased in Hong Kong’s electronics markets.

Hong Kong citizens are purchasing cheap older smartphones solely to use as burner phones for installing the contact tracing app.

Vincent (28), a Hong Kong resident, told major foreign media, "I bought a burner phone because the government does not trust Hong Kong people," adding, "Why should I trust them (the government)?"

According to about ten sellers at the Sham Shui Po electronics market in Hong Kong, demand for older smartphones has surged since last week.

One seller said that while they usually sold about 10 older smartphones, last week they sold 50, and other sellers reported sales increasing more than two to three times the usual amount.

The most popular phone is the Samsung Galaxy J5, released in 2015, which is currently sold for about 300 Hong Kong dollars (approximately 40,000 KRW).

From the 18th, social distancing measures were eased in Hong Kong, allowing dinner inside restaurants, and sports centers, skin care clinics, theaters, and amusement parks resumed operations.

The authorities required customers to install the COVID-19 contact tracing app 'LeaveHomeSafe' to scan QR codes at these locations or leave their contact information.

Hong Kong government officials must scan QR codes through the app when entering government buildings.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong government announced that 840,000 people have downloaded the 'LeaveHomeSafe' app, launched last November, and that about 70,000 businesses use the app.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.