Editorial: Against Abuse of Health Codes

Local authorities across China have developed health code systems by collecting personal information and movement records for contact tracing and for monitoring infection risk during the pandemic.

The news that clients of several village banks in Henan province in central China were given red health codes exposes a long-feared public threat. As important tools for Covid-19 prevention and control, the health codes collect residents’ private information, requiring their strict use in accordance with laws and regulations. The authorities in Henan gave red health codes to bank clients who had trouble withdrawing money to prevent their rights protest rather than to combat the virus. This act infringed on personal freedom, severely violated citizens’ rights and shook the foundation of pandemic prevention and control.