Since there is no cure for COVID-19, governments have turned to technology to create a sort of digital 'herd immunity' against the flu-like disease.

The app's compulsory use is raising concerns among privacy advocates, who say it is unclear how the data will be used and who stress that India lacks privacy laws to govern the app.

"Overall, the idea makes sense," said Ritesh Kotak, but "it needs to be done correctly because there are very serious privacy concerns if not done correctly."

Government Services Minister Stuart Robert said there would there will be no surveillance involved with the app, which is to be ready within weeks.

Civil liberties experts question the effectiveness of apps that use location data to track potential coronavirus cases, saying governments should also consider privacy rights.

The free app coordinates friends, families and neighbours of health-care workers to take care of basic tasks like shopping or meal preparation during the pandemic.

A Hamilton-based technology company has developed an app and website in hopes of helping to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.