15-04-2020 12:38 AM - edited 15-04-2020 12:42 AM
Interesting developments:
The battle against coronavirus is going hi-tech, with Australians to be asked to download a phone app that will monitor their movements — but only with their express permission.
The Federal Government believes restrictions on the community could be eased in the months ahead if there's more testing, greater surveillance of those infected by the coronavirus and much faster tracing of those they've had contact with.
It is developing a mobile phone app with the private sector to help monitor Australians' daily interactions.
The ABC understands the app will be ready in a fortnight but the Government believes it would need at least 40 per cent of Australians to voluntarily sign up for it to be effective.
The app would be opt-in only and not mandatory.
This app will make contact tracing easier as it will enable authorities to contact people via their phones if they have come in contact with someone who subsequently tests positive.
Personally, count me in. I can always delete the app once this pandemic has settled. If I was to become really concerned I’d simply get a new phone, new number, new sim! OR, simply turn off Bluetooth
Solved! Go to Solution.
on 26-04-2020 06:15 PM
Hadn't given it a second thought, but if there was an insentive, i'd upload it for $50 😛
26-04-2020 06:31 PM - edited 26-04-2020 06:34 PM
I just downloaded the app. There is information that needs to be submitted like name, age range, mobile number and postcode.
The name you input can be a pseudonym. You can put your name in as Mickey Mouse if you wanted to. Your name is not important for the app. The thing that is important is being able to download the contact information of those you are in contact with IF you or one of those people develop COVID-19.
- Information is only downloaded from your phone if you get COVID-19
- Only health officials can access the data with your permission
- The app DOES NOT record geolocation
- Data your phone records is wiped on a 21 day cycle
- You can turn off Bluetooth if you want to suspend your participation
- You can delete the app at any time
If you don’t download the app you have nothing to worry about . . . except potentially missing early notification of having been close to someone who develops COVID-19
For those who are worried about privacy, ask yourself this question: Do you know what permissions you have given for all the apps on your phone?
I have downloaded apps that have asked for permission to access contacts, messages, photos, call history etc. I never give those permissions . . . but many people do!
on 26-04-2020 06:50 PM
Silly question time....
If it does not record geolocation, how is it going to tell me I've just been in contact with Mickey Mouse at the supermarket - and he has Covid 19?
on 26-04-2020 06:53 PM
@imastawka wrote:Silly question time....
If it does not record geolocation, how is it going to tell me I've just been in contact with Mickey Mouse at the supermarket - and he has Covid 19?
Presumably it will record ALL the phones (with the app active and bluetooth enabled) that Mickey's phone has been near.
Mine won't be one of them - I don't bluetooth. Any time I turn it on in public, it tries to connect me to random devices.
26-04-2020 06:57 PM - edited 26-04-2020 06:58 PM
I don't bluetooth either.
That's how those random devices pinch ya info.
And who says Mickey's even downloaded the app?
on 26-04-2020 08:22 PM
@imastawka wrote:I don't bluetooth either.
That's how those random devices pinch ya info.
And who says Mickey's even downloaded the app?
the app only records information provided at registration. It doesn't need the location. Location information would come from the phone owner remembering where they have been.
It does not record any information about phones that haven't downloaded the app. That's why they want 40% take up. That will enable fast tracing of people. There will still need to be good old-fashioned tracing as well . . . which will rely on an infected person remembering where they've been and who they've been in contact with, but that won't identify any 'strangers' they've been in contact with. That's where the app is most useful
on 26-04-2020 08:39 PM
but that won't identify any 'strangers' they've been in contact with. That's where the app is most useful
How? If the other person hasn't downloaded the app?
Doesn't make sense.
on 26-04-2020 09:54 PM
Too 1984 for me.
I am bulletproof anyway. Or at least covid-proof.
on 26-04-2020 10:44 PM
@imastawka wrote:but that won't identify any 'strangers' they've been in contact with. That's where the app is most useful
How? If the other person hasn't downloaded the app?
Doesn't make sense.
in order to reply to your post I will put a little more of my previous post here first:
. . . which will rely on an infected person remembering where they've been and who they've been in contact with, but that won't identify any 'strangers' they've been in contact with. That's where the app is most useful
In the manual method of contact tracing a person who has COVID-19 wont know the identity of strangers they have had contact with. The tracers will rely on publicising the locations an infected person has been in the hope that those who were there at the same time will come forward.
That's where the app is most useful . . . when people who are strangers to each other can be contacted if they have the app on their phone. The usefulness is in being able to contact strangers!
on 26-04-2020 10:55 PM
For the first time ever on these boards I am going to play the age card....I am a stupid old woman who is too dumb to see how it will work. It makes no sense at all to me.
As I never leave home except for medical appointments I doubt that it will ever be necessary to contact me anyway.