Amitha Muraleedharan
The Karnataka High court has asked for the details about the functioning of the Aarogya Setu app to know how the user’s data is shared among the government and other agencies.
A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice S Vishwajith Shetty asked the Centre to disclose details of the application concerning infringement of one’s right to privacy.
The bench said, “Privacy is disclosing data without consent. The other aspect of privacy is those who may not get infected with COVID-19 the app may reflect they are infected this is also some kind of breach of privacy.”
The bench further stated if one’s suffering from any other disorder like hypertension or diabetes, why should that be disclosed to someone else.
Additional Solicitor General MB Nagarund stated that the implementation of Arogya Setu app is supported by law and does not violate privacy of a person.
It was like visiting a doctor and stating one’s medical history.
The government has said that the Aarogya Setu application was built within the rightful powers exercised under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, Epidemic Diseases Act 1897, National Disaster Management Plan, and Executive power.
Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that there are currently 135 government departments and institution which made the use of the app mandatory.
The court will continue hearing the matter on November 26.