Unraveling the mystery of Bluezone: How it operates and the common queries surrounding the app designed to alert close encounters with COVID-19 carriers.

Bluezone is an application recommended by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Information and Communications to install in order to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Let's delve into what Bluezone app is, how it operates, and common questions about it in the following article!

1. What exactly is Bluezone?

Bluezone is a smartphone application available for both iOS and Android, designed to quickly trace individuals at risk of contracting COVID-19. Additionally, it provides alerts if users come into close contact with coronavirus-infected individuals.

Bluezone leverages low-energy Bluetooth technology, similar to the technology jointly developed by Apple and Google back in April. Smartphones with this app installed will exchange signals with each other within a range of 2 meters and log contact history.

Learn more: How to use Bluezone: An app to detect contact with COVID-19 patients

2. How Bluezone operates

When there's an infection case, the contact history in the app shows whether you've been in contact with this person or not if both of you are using Bluezone. Therefore, the more people install Bluezone, the higher the protection effectiveness.

3. Common questions about the Bluezone app

Why does Bluezone request access to photos, media, and files?

Bluezone only uses the 'access files' permission to record 'close contact history' to the device's memory. However, according to Google's policy, the device still automatically prompts 'allow access to photos, media, and files' even when Bluezone doesn't use the other permissions. You need to grant permission to record 'close contacts.'

Does Bluezone track user location?

Bluezone does not record or utilize user location. When you install Bluezone on Android and activate Bluetooth, the device will request location permission. This is due to Google's policy where enabling Bluetooth BLE automatically requests location permission. However, Bluezone does not use that permission.

Does Bluezone retain user information?

Bluezone only stores data on the user's device, absolutely does not upload to the server, does not collect location. Bluezone only records when and for how long two people met, without knowing where. Bluezone users remain anonymous as they use IDs generated by the system.

Is it necessary to keep Bluetooth on continuously when using Bluezone?

For Bluezone to function effectively, the phone must always have Bluetooth turned on. However, Bluezone utilizes low-energy Bluetooth BLE technology, saving battery power, so users can use it with complete peace of mind.

Is keeping Bluetooth always on in communities harmful?

This is similar to using WiFi in communities, as Bluetooth and WiFi operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency. So users can use it with complete confidence as usual.

Does having Bluetooth on make phones vulnerable to information hacking?

Bluetooth is a widely used device connection standard today and has been proven to be secure.

Does Bluezone drain battery?

Bluezone utilizes Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, which is battery-efficient, so people can use it with complete peace of mind.

Do infected individuals install this Bluezone?

Infected individuals may not install Bluezone, so there are many cases where the app is not installed, resulting in delays in close contact alerts. Therefore, everyone should install and encourage others to install Bluezone to protect themselves and the community in a timely manner.

Is Bluezone effective if not everyone keeps Bluetooth on?

Turning on Bluetooth is an individual's choice. For self-protection and community safety, people should use Bluezone regularly. If users turn off Bluetooth, for example, if they come into contact with a COVID-19 patient, this contact will not be recorded.

Does Bluezone run in the background or do you have to turn it on every time?

Bluezone will continue to operate even if the screen is off. Note that you need to keep Bluetooth on to ensure contact tracing is complete.

Why do the displayed numbers vary on different devices even in the same location?

This is because devices do not scan continuously but have intermittent cycling periods to save energy. Different devices have different operating and resting times. When a device is in resting mode, it does not record additional devices until it becomes active again.

Although the displayed numbers may vary between devices, close contacts are still fully recorded. Close contact is defined as two individuals meeting for a sufficient duration for the virus to transmit.

Install and use Bluezone to protect yourself and the community

Given the complex situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bluezone is an application that should be on everyone's phone.

This application not only helps us avoid unsafe places but also enables the Government to control the pandemic situation and implement specific measures in disease prevention efforts.

Besides, the application only plays a part, individual awareness remains the most crucial. Therefore, let's strive to comply with all measures to prevent the pandemic so that our country can return to peace as before.

Above are all the information you need to know about Bluezone. Install the Bluezone app to protect yourself and the community!

Let's join hands to push back COVID-19, Vietnam is determined to defeat the pandemic.

Learn more: 

• Citizens fined for not installing Bluezone and turning on Bluetooth when going out
• Review of Bluezone: An app must be installed to control Covid-19 pandemic
• Bluezone introduces many new features: Can declare health online