The UN’s Social Distancing App Only Has One Job But Isn’t Getting It Right
Screenshot via Google Play Store
The United Nations recently released its new social distancing app, called 1point5, to help people keep from distance with each other during the coronavirus pandemic. However, an investigation by Motherboard suggests that the tool is “barely functional.”
The app is developed to alert users when a person with another Bluetooth device is in a close 1.5-meter (4.9-foot) range with them.
When it detects a Bluetooth-enabled device within the specific range, it is supposed to send out a message reading, “Please keep your distance.”
The publication had tested out the app with two different Android devices but found that the app did not perform its basic feature.
Several other reviews on the app’s Google Play Store listing also pointed out 1point5 did not work, with one user writing, “Waste of time… This application is not working.”
The app’s launch was announced on United Nations’ official website, claiming to inform users to keep their distance at a 1.5-meter range. Users are also able to tweak the range slightly but the main motive is to keep users aware of their social distancing practices in public.
Screenshot via Google Play Store
Screenshot via Google Play Store
Screenshot via Google Play Store
[via Boing Boing, cover image via Google Play Store]
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