An Australian state announced that they are testing out a new app to enforce home quarantine orders that uses facial recognition technology.
The app released last month, called Home Quarantine SA, uses geo-location and facial recognition software to follow people quarantining themselves. Any South Australian who is quarantining must download the app.
The app works by contacting people at random times and asking them to provide proof of their location within 15 minutes. Citizens have to share their location or give “live face check-ins” to prove they are where they’re supposed to be.
South Australia Premier Steven Marshall told ABC News, “We don’t tell them how often or when, on a random basis they have to reply within 15 minutes”.
Currently in South Australia, citizens have to quarantine in their homes or quarantine hotels for 14 days and if the order is broken, they face up to a $1,000 fine.
If a person misses the app check-in, they will get a follow-up phone call where they have to explain why they missed the notification. If they miss the follow-up call, a “compliance officer” might be sent to check on them.
Marshall stated, “I think every South Australian should feel pretty proud that we are the national pilot for the home-based quarantine app”. Though the app is just in it’s pilot phase, Marshall said he looks forward to state-wide adoption.