Anadi Tewari
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday (June 02) has asked the Central Government to make sure that the ‘Co-Win’ Mobile Application for Vaccine should be made as user friendly as possible, so that even the not so literate people are able to use the same.
The division bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh was hearing a batch of petitions concerning the issues pertaining to the ‘Co-Win’ application.
Importantly, the bench has gone on to observe that:
“The primary object of the State should be to ensure vaccination of the maximum numbers of the population in the shortest period of time.”
Issues Raised By The Petitioners
Only 4 people can register on one mobile phone number
The first aspect of the issue that the petitioner raised was in regard to the number of people who can register for vaccines from one mobile number. The petitioners have stated that only four people can register on one mobile phone number which is a very small number compared to the overall population, and many persons who even use and operate a smartphone may not be able to operate the Co-Win application either to register themselves or others, for the COVID vaccination.
The respondents have submitted that the restriction to 4 registration on one number is to prevent hoarding of vaccination bookings by middlemen.
The Court while refusing to entertain this reasoning has asked the respondents to keep in view the position as it exists on the ground, and there may be a need for the respondents to increase the number of registrations per mobile phone to cover large sections of the population.
“Ensure vaccination of the maximum numbers of the population in the shortest period of time,” the bench further stated.
Data Privacy Policy
The second aspect raised is in relation to the data privacy policy in respect of the Co-Win application. The Court noted that the data privacy policy was not placed before the Court and is not even disclosed on the portal of the Union of India.
It was submitted on the side of the government that the same shall be uploaded on the website/portal of the Union of India forthwith and shall be placed before the Court within 4 weeks.
Captcha Entry in the Co-Win Application
The third aspect highlighted by the learned amicus is in respect of the captcha entry in the Co-Win application. The petitioners have submitted that the Captcha is a security feature and that a large section of the population may not know how to operate the same, particularly the disabled and the handicapped persons may not be able to read the same.
The petitioners further submit that there could be alternatives, such as voice-enabled captchas, or the adoption of the OTP Technology.
The Court has asked the respondents to examine the same, and take appropriate measures within the next 10 days in this regard.
“The endeavour of the respondents should be to make the said mobile application as user friendly as possible, so that even the not so literate people are able to use the same.”
Updating of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The last aspect raised is with regard to the updating of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the application. The petitioners submit that after the preparation of the note on 19.05.2021, the FAQs appear to have been updated, but not completely.
“The Union of India should ensure that the FAQs on the Co-Win application are updated regularly, and all relevant information is provided to the people at large who use the application,” the Court ordered.
Other Matters before the Court
The Union of India has submitted before the Court that it shall place before the Court the latest status report with regard to audio-visual and print media push, and awareness programmes of the Central Government, and efforts to broadcast and popularise helpline numbers in respect of COVID-19.
The Court also took note of the portal created with the assistance of Prof. Dhir, IIT, Delhi for purpose of tracking the complete channel for distribution of Remdesivir and has directed the concerned (GNCTD) to ensure that the same is made operational for all other medicines which are considered essential for the treatment of COVID-19, and its fallout diseases such as Mucormycosis (Black Fungus).