Australia Test-Driving Selfie Check-In Program to Prove Quarantine Status

It is no secret that Australia has taken questionable and intense precautions when it comes to the pandemic, but this one just might take the cake. 

Multiple Australian states have begun testing apps that would force quarantined people to upload selfies to prove they’re actually following the rules. 

The apps, designed for those who are forced to quarantine after traveling, send notifications to quarantined Australians at random times throughout the day, asking them to upload a selfie, BizPacReview reports. 

Victoria Health Minister Martin Foley announced the state’s own app trial on September 28. 

“Participants will receive advice via the smartphone as to their obligation at random times to provide a selfie back to the public health teams,” he said. “Should that not be responded to in a period of time, follow-up calls or visits are made so as to make sure that the person is where they should be.” 

Around 175 people are participating in the trial. Once they receive the notification, they have five minutes to snap a picture of themselves at home. 

In other states, however, there is a shorter window of time, according to Australian magazine InnovationAus. 

“South Australia has been conducting its own pilot using its Home Quarantine SA app, with users contacted at random by the app and required to provide proof of their location via a selfie within 15 minutes. If this isn’t done, then the user will receive a phone call from the health department and then potentially a check from the police,” the magazine writes. 

Critics of the idea have brought up several valid points in response: What if the person is showering, napping, working out or cooking dinner? What about an important work meeting?

In this case, the term "Orwellian" doesn't seem to cut it.