Business Standard has reported that the Modi government has proposed to make the Arogya Setu app compulsory for anyone wanting to take a flight. The contact-tracing app, media reports say, has been instrumental in preventing new Covid-19 cases from emerging in cities such as Mumbai.

"Only if the app shows GREEN, you will be allowed entry inside the airport," the report by BS says.

Commenting on the development, social media influencer Balaji Srinivasan analyzes why the model is likely to be adopted by several other countries. "Have a feeling many Western democracies will eventually adopt Aarogya Setu or a variant. Contact tracing, telemedicine, pandemic info in one app for all citizens. And green codes, which are like passport + vaccination certificate. Without it can’t travel," he writes.

The app was recently in the thick of a controversy after Rahul Gandhi alleged that it compromises privacy badly. "BJP Govt has a history of violating citizens' privacy and Aarogya Setu app is another attempt at the same. The BJP should immediately address privacy concerns in the app being voiced by many experts," the Congress party, joining issue with its former President, said.