Coronavirus tracking app
 

A valued CF'er has suggested we have a separate thread (thank you, you "Born again teenager" for a great suggestion), where we could focus/engage on a slightly more technical aspect of the pandemic, and hear different views on the various options available.

Some background -

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/0...rus_phone_app/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/52393115

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

it will send out a message to all the people that have been near to them, to let them know they should stay at home and self-isolate, in case they get symptoms too.

That should get everyone into panic mode and locked away in no time at all.
The only people on the streets will be the oldies who don't have a smart phone.

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

If it's any help I've been using this:

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/covid-...r/id1503529611

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

I'm using the same but have to be careful that I'm not simply recording my hangovers. :D

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

l am not quite a oldie yet ;) although my family might have different thoughts about that but l cannot even find anything Covid 19 related on my phone apart from one which is researched based. and you have to sign up to.

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

I think there's a concern around privacy, understandably, and with the whole Cambridge Analytica nonsense I'm sure there's a proportion of the public going to be sceptical about using this.

On top of that the 5G conspiracy theorists will probably try to find some way to sabotage it.

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

Firstly, does this mean you need to have Bluetooth enabled at all times?

Secondly, are there going to be a great number of people 'claiming' they have the symptoms in order to get a test kit?

Just curious . . and a little sceptical ;)

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

Me too.

Coronavirus contact tracking app
 

Thanks Hugh, This is my take and I know we already have a thread dealing with Corvid-19 so I thought it was worth discussing the new NHSX coronavirus contact tracking app.
snippet.. https://www.digitalhealth.net/2020/0...-tracking-app/

Further developments reported by the BBC
snippet..
I know that this forum has a lot of members who have a sound understanding of the technology being used and what all this could mean less tech savvy members such as myself.

• Will this lead to less privacy?
• Will I get told that I have possibly have been infected by hundreds of infectious people within a 50 meter radius or can the Bluetooth contact are be restricted to only report ...say 5/10 metres?
• Will having this app on my phone pose a security risk?
• Will having this app make people feel more eager to engage in social interaction because they assume that the people they are in contact with must not be infected?

I normally value my privacy and security so having my Bluetooth and GPS turned on permanently goes against the grain and on a practical note how will having these things active effect my battery.

.... and finally, will it work if we don't have mass testing, much faster results and can't ensure that people will pass on the information that they are infectious?

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

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Sounds like the perfect app for a paranoid hypochondriac. :D

I have a mobile but it doesn't "do" apps apart from those that are built in.

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

Oh golly l dare not mention that word with someone l know well in our household although she has admitted on occasions that she can be a hypochondriac.:D:eeek::Yikes:

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

Not much use unless you have a "smart" phone.

Re: Coronavirus contact tracking app
 

I have read though the Apple/Google API and it's very clever. It will be quite good at protecting privacy to the extent that it's not a concern for me at all, you leak more information about yourself using social media, other apps and even posting on here than you would with this app.

But we're not clear if the NHS app is using this API and in France they're in conflict with Apple about it. Apple do not let various tasks run in the background and France want them to let them do so for their version of the app. Apple are saying no. Use our API. So we'll what happens.

Any for your questions:

Slightly but not really. You get given a rolling, randomly generated, token each day and it broadcasts to other phones a slightly different version every so often to avoid people tracking you via that broadcasted ID. The token used to generate that key is only on your device.

It'll be a smaller range, the 5-10 meters. And you need to be exposed to them for a set period of time. The API's minimum is 5 minutes.
[*]Will having this app on my phone pose a security risk?

In theory you could be tracked via the broadcasted ID but Apple/Google have accounted for that and randomise the ID every so often.
[*]Will having this app make people feel more eager to engage in social interaction because they assume that the people they are in contact with must not be infected?

No, you'll never know who was or wasn't infected. All you get is a notification one of IDs you met has tested positive.

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

Thank you Damien. I feel a lot more reassured on the security side.

I guess it will still be some time before there are enough people tested to ensure that the app functions in a meaningful way for much of the population.

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

As the app (whichever one gets used in the UK) will have to have Bluetooth turned on then battery uptime comes into the equation.

Assuming the app will (with permission) turn on Bluetooth then those with older phones may see the battery running out whilst they are out and about. What then?

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

Some information is better than none?

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I thought the app was going live at 6pm tonight ?

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

Where did you get that from?
The Apple/Google app or the NHS one?

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

In the coming weeks.

https://www.nhsx.nhs.uk/blogs/digita...-saving-lives/

Probably mid-May, according to this.

Coronavirus: NHS contact-tracing app is tested at RAF base
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-52381103

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

I take it you would have to download the NHS app and it will need to be an OPT In for the data transfer, so only those that wish to use it use it. Those that would prefer to value there privacy will not need to worry in that case as they will not have it on there phone or am i missing something here

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

No, it’s voluntary

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

Excellent, i will download it as i am a bit paranoid about going anywhere near people i don't know at the moment, I have worked from home the last 4 weeks and have been out of the house only to shop and that's on a Saturday first thing. At my age i do not want to get the bloody virus

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100% there. Perhaps "Big Brother" will not allow you out unless it is active on your phone?

These are indeed interesting times.

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

Further clarification.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/corona...vacy-says-nhs/

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

Will the Police be able to stop anyone and ask if they are using the App?

If it is due to a restriction of the phone will they be in trouble?

If they don't have a phone that supports they app are they quarantined forever?

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

I think what you are hinting at here is that it is going to be made compulsory if you have a smart phone, I will voluntary install it if that's how it is presented but if they make it compulsory then they can go and take a hike.

I can do my shopping on line and i can work from home just the same as i can work in the office so being stuck in the house does not bother me that much.

I am not yet at tinfoil hat stage with this :)

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

The Apple/Google thing is just a pre-built solution that other countries can use in their own apps. Hopefully the NHS app will use the Apple/Google API.

If they don't it's not going to work on iPhones as Apple don't let applications broadcast whatever they hell they like.

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

It will be interesting about the false positives.


We know some people will give incorrect information, like when you watch say ants on TV you can feel them on you.

You could see symptoms that are not there, but paranoia wins over.

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

I agree with you, just put forward what the usual suspects would.

Being "stuck" at home doesn't affect me.

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

None of these things have been mentioned, or even hinted at.

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

Same here however long it takes and if thats 18 months or longer then so be it...

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

If it makes a genuine difference to the battle against CV I don’t give 2 hoots about my privacy.

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Unless they plan to buy phones for a lot of people, that isnt happening. ;)

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I'd hope the alert is only triggered when someone tests positive, ideally without the app user having to do anything.

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

I believe that is the way it is supposed to work.

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

You should, if the "tracking" works and acts like a OK to travel pass what would stop a future government/agency wanting to use it for some other control purpose?
Makes me even less inclined to get a mobile.
I can't see it being compulsory but it could be mandated to travel or access places with a paper version being available. Restaurants could make it part of booking and no tables without reservation (initially this would work with people delighted to eat out making walk-in impossible anyway).

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

I’m talking about in this matter.

I’m seeing far too many people getting hung up about their “rights” or “freedom” when it comes to tackling CV. In my opinion people should be more focussed on their “right to stay alive”. Not aimed at you (or anyone on this forum) but again if it comes down to a matter of playing my part in helping to defeat this virus then I consider our privacy (admittedly something which would otherwise be paramount) to be a secondary issue.

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

True but how do you guarantee that once installed it can be removed and the data collected is only going to be used for this purpose? The Google/Apple API's are designed to protect privacy and to track the virus, governments want weaker privacy.

I simply do not trust governments and especially the security agencies to leave things as a virus tracker. So while the idea is good it needs to implemented properly so it can't be abused and it can be trusted. If it's not trusted people won't use it so becomes self defeating.

Re: Coronavirus tracking app
 

I’m not suggesting it isn’t a valid point. But it’s something I prefer to deal with once we’ve dealt with this killer virus.