I was reading an article about the re opening of borders and at the end of it they said certain countries are thinking of enforcing foreigners to install tracking apps so they can contact trace if a traveller turns out to be infected. I know they are already been doing this in Taiwan, but having seen the negative reaction to a tracking app in my country I wonder how travellers would feel about having these apps forced into their phones and would it put them off visiting those countries. Would you be OK with this?
Would you download a tracking app to enter a country?
As a short term visitor I'd be fine with it. Their country, their rules.
If my home country wanted to do it beyond the availability of a coronavirus vaccine I'd be up in arms about it on civil liberties grounds.
" Would you be OK with this? "
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Not really! I do travel with a cheap laptop but no smart phone. (For use at home I do have a $10 Tracfone that does not work overseas.) When out of the country checking my emails on my laptop every now and then at my hotel is good enough for me! I do not need to be in touch with anyone 24/7 in any country!
I have no desire to purchase a smart phone just so I can be tracked in a country where I will be spending money supporting their economy.
Besides tracking some countries may require some sort of quarantine too so look into this too. I have been watching Thailand for a while for new entry requirements but the rules seem to change daily.
Okeydokey.
I feel much the same as Andy. Not a problem in any country as a visitor.
Regarding the UK, I have no problem with anyone knowing where I am at any time so have no issues with using phone tracking here to deal with Covid-19. I haven't decided whether it would be a major civil liberties issue at other times.
I wouldn't have a problem with it either abroad or at home if it helps to get people moving again and get countries up and running economically.
As for longer term, I already accept that Google knows where I am at all times, so this doesn't feel that different. I'm not one to be precious about my civil liberties if there is a wider social agenda - I feel the same with CCTV on streets helping to catch criminals. If I'm not doing anything wrong I have nothing to hide!
I pretty much think we can all already be tracked due to our mobile phones so not much difference.
Quoting karazyal
Not really! I do travel with a cheap laptop but no smart phone. (For use at home I do have a $10 Tracfone that does not work overseas.) When out of the country checking my emails on my laptop every now and then at my hotel is good enough for me! I do not need to be in touch with anyone 24/7 in any country!
When I arrived in Taiwan their CDC emphasised the importance of having a phone number that they could contact me on. I had roaming set up so I was all good. I suspect other countries will probably be just as insistent on contact details and reachability in the future. Travelling phone free may no longer be an option
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Phones can already be tracked anyway, so the app is really just making use of the information that already exists. I watched the UK TV programme Hunted this year, which has permission to replicate police powers, and was astounded by the fact that many people clearly didn't understand how phone tracking can be used when required.
Like some others have said, I wouldn't be too worried about a short term visit abroad, but then I have nothing to hide - I might be less keen if I were for example LGBTQ in countries where this is an issue, and might therefore be tracked to be place that was deemed inappropriate or be able to be seen to be spending the night with someone of the same gender. I suppose that would need to be factored into their decision to travel.
Here at home, I would be OK with it whilst there is a clear need to protect our health and economy. I would expect that careful safeguards are put in place regarding the sharing and usage of the information gathered though.
Quoting AndyF
As a short term visitor I'd be fine with it. Their country, their rules.
If my home country wanted to do it beyond the availability of a coronavirus vaccine I'd be up in arms about it on civil liberties grounds.
I'm with Andy on this one although I realize when my phone is with me, someone knows where I am. There isn't much privacy any more. 
Quoting Beausoleil
Quoting AndyF
As a short term visitor I'd be fine with it. Their country, their rules.
If my home country wanted to do it beyond the availability of a coronavirus vaccine I'd be up in arms about it on civil liberties grounds.
I'm with Andy on this one although I realize when my phone is with me, someone knows where I am. There isn't much privacy any more.
Many have already stated my thoughts about this. My concern about this/it/that/app is needing the interent/wi-fi to use this app-thingy. When I step on the plane I turn the internet off on my phone and usually turn it on when I get back home..(Minus the quick search of the next hotel or bus/transport scheduals.) I use the phone only to take photos and see the time.
If I am allowed to be a little bit pessimistic and "thinfoilhatman-ish"..They might just replace passports with tracking chips...
[ Edit: Edited on 24-Apr-2020, 20:41 GMT by hennaonthetrek ]