Are you Going to use the COVIDsafe App?

[serfty]

I did research this a fair bit and I decided I was happy to:

Privacy Policy

The COVIDSafe app speeds up contacting people exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19). This helps us support and protect you, your friends and family. Please read the content on this page before downloading.

www.health.gov.au

 

[tgh]

It's chewing through the battery on my x , which spends most of it's life these days sleeping on the office desk

 

[Pushka]

It's chewing through the battery on my x , which spends most of it's life these days sleeping on the office desk

Mine barely budges. I didn't even charge it last night. Are you sure there isn't something else happening? I have 8plus.

 

[eric2011]

Yep, myself and swmbo

 

[Princess Fiona]

Mine barely budges. I didn't even charge it last night. Are you sure there isn't something else happening? I have 8plus.

Not using any battery power of note on mine either

 

[Pushka]

I just checked battery usage. It’s not even registering and it is open.




And it just sent me a notification. Generic.

 

[RooFlyer]

I suppose k is just below i on the keyboard. May have accidentally added the letter k and spell check didn't pick it up?

Was just thinking the same thing. Tracing / tracking, that ‘k’ makes a difference. I’d be incommunicado if I considered every misnomer a big issue.

Sure, but the difference being that SBS:

* Is a nationally funded organisation with a substantial budget
* Prides itself on the accuracy of its news
* Tracking Vs tracing is an acknowledged critical distinction when people are suspicious of the app

I don't know if the journo was reading a scrip or not (sorry: I didn't make clear in my post - it was a journo with a 'story' on the news, not the newsreader). I suspect the journo just blabbed his own (ignorant) perception and the news editor didn't know or didn't care about the distinction.

And while on the media, people know my love of our ABC Something from the 'Strewth' column in today's on-line Oz:

“Experts warn there are still legal ways the US could obtain COVIDSafe data,” screamed the headline on a lengthy article by the ABC Investigations team, published on Tuesday.

It spouted claims similar to those made by Greens leader Adam Bandt about Amazon, outlined previously in this column.

The only stickler? At the end of its story, the ABC asks readers for their name, email address, mobile phone number and postcode to submit an investigation idea or sign up to its newsletters — the exact same data the COVIDSafe app asks for.

How secure are Aunty’s servers?

 

[tomlee1986]

You need to specify what your "well grounded belief"s are?. Shouldn't be allowed as a defense if you end up infecting someone or worse

some people as I said come from countries do not trust governments much either here or abroad - therefore they would be reluctant to hand out personal information via the phone unless compelled to do so by law

 

[Hvr]

I don't know if the journo was reading a scrip or not (sorry:

Or even a script.

 

[tomlee1986]

I guess the real test is that if the data was misused in a year or so for a drug bust or some other supposedly illegal use of the collected data, then the public would be even more wary in the future if there was another pandemic or issue that required a crowd sourcing effort by the public. What I'm saying is, it's in the governments best interests not to abuse the trust, because there wont be a second chance if they abuse it the first time.

I agree that this app has its uses for the pandemic - and the public good is needed.. as you correctly pointed out - the trust of the public is extremely important in the usage of such data... Unfortunately for some people (not the fault of the Australian government in this matter) - but more on their past histories in dealing with governments (especially from countries that do not support as much democracy as Australia) - their reluctance and suspicion is very high and it is extremely difficult to convince them to hand over personal details for tracking purposes...

 

[Pushka]

some people as I said come from countries do not trust governments much either here or abroad - therefore they would be reluctant to hand out personal information via the phone unless compelled to do so by law

Agree.

But on the other hand, doesn't the fact that we aren't being compelled to download somewhat reassure you as to the Intent?

 

[tomlee1986]

Agree.

But on the other hand, doesn't the fact that we aren't being compelled to download somewhat reassure you as to the Intent?

I understand that voluntary part - but such fears are hard to overcome - nothing against you personally , but from a person whom has seen trusts between the public and the government totally lost almost first hand... it is not easy to understand this fear looks paranoid to others, but real to themselves

 

[jakeseven7]

Agree.

But on the other hand, doesn't the fact that we aren't being compelled to download somewhat reassure you as to the Intent?

AND they more than willingly give up their data to Woolworths, Flybuys, Velocity, QFF, Facebook, Google, Apple without a hesitation in the world - all of which use on onsell personal data in ways they could not even imagine.

Even though Facebook has sold off their data many times over, allowed apps on their platform that sucked down data and sent it to the Russian government - and Facebook has been caught many times, highly publicised and yet people still happy to use.

And the app doesn't even track people. But EVEN if it did, people are worried about the government watching them - but are more than happy to walk through our citties where the government is LITERALLY ALREADY watching you through an enormous network of CCTV anyway. So many Karen's out there!

Honestly don't understand - but I just think most people are probably just ignorant to the fact of how much they are already giving away!

 

[RooFlyer]

Or even a script.

Can I claim a 'mis-keying'?

 

[Pushka]

I understand that voluntary part - but such fears are hard to overcome - nothing against you personally , but from a person whom has seen trusts between the public and the government totally lost almost first hand... it is not easy to understand this fear looks paranoid to others, but real to themselves

No, it's ok, I understand your fear.

I'm finding so many instances of my computer strokes being tracked by google, FB, Trip Advisor and all these dots get connected when I don't want that, that I think the privacy genie is already out of the bottle and at least in me downloading the app I feel that in a small way I may be contributing to fighting the evil virus.

 

[tomlee1986]

AND they more than willingly give up their data to Woolworths, Flybuys, Velocity, QFF, Facebook, Google, Apple without a hesitation in the world - all of which use on onsell personal data in ways they could not even imagine.

Even though Facebook has sold off their data many times over, allowed apps on their platform that sucked down data and sent it to the Russian government - and Facebook has been caught many times, highly publicised and yet people still happy to use.

Honestly don't understand - but I just think most people are probably just ignorant to the fact of how much they are already giving away!

I like to use this to reply your idea - why they would give more information to those rewards schemes than government. To most people, the reward schemes such as Woolies, Flybuys, Velocity, QFF.. These would give them some benefits some where in the future. For them, these information would NOT be used to get them into legal trouble, unless those people broke the law... then of course they should be worried how these datas are used.

For government using this data - the situation is totally different... for majority of Australians, (which I am proud to be ) - they would NOT have gone through how some countries would take the data from the internet, then frame someone for committing a serious crime, with major consequences... For me personally, I am not one normally fearful of the government - even in Australia, but this app brings me bad memories especially since mid 2019 - with the HK government doing things against people on the behest of the CCP in China. thats why I am highly reluctant to download this app, no matter how useful it is. Not because I dont trust Australian government but the app is bringing me horrorible memories

 

[samh004]

AND they more than willingly give up their data to Woolworths, Flybuys, Velocity, QFF, Facebook, Google, Apple without a hesitation in the world - all of which use on onsell personal data in ways they could not even imagine.

Not to hijack, but Apple seems to be very much the reverse of all those other companies. I wouldn't include them in the same list as Facebook and Google. The reason Siri sucks is that it doesn't listen all the time – unlike Alexa and Google Assistant, and data is assigned random tokens instead of user-specific so it struggles to learn. They regularly fight unwarranted attempts to access locked devices or requests for cloud content, even going so far as to refuse to unlock a terrorists iPhone held by the FBI on the principle of the request. The API they are developing with Google for COVID doesn't send data to a government database on purpose, for privacy reasons.

I used to be very much an Apple fanboy because I liked their devices, but their increasing stances on user privacy make me happy too... and sad because I know my personal assistant will never be as good, as it has had its wings clipped to protect my privacy.

I'll shut up now

 

[p--and--t]

Not because I dont trust Australian government but the app is bringing me horrorible memories

I live every day with someone who lived under a communist regime for 20 years and see on a daily basis how an educated intelligent (very smart and competent) worldly person still frames their responses based on the fears engendered since childbirth and totally understand where you are coming from.

For someone who has visited such places and only seen what happens from an outsiders viewpoint I still am taken aback at times at the responses I observe but no longer seek to criticise or judge.

The benefit of living in this country is to have a choice. It is yours to choose and I respect your right to choose.

 

[Pushka]

The reason Siri sucks is that it doesn't listen all the time

Geez. What could get worse. Being in ISO and not even Siri will talk to you.

 

[tomlee1986]

I live every day with someone who lived under a communist regime for 20 years and see on a daily basis how an educated intelligent (very smart and competent) worldly person still frames their responses based on the fears engendered since childbirth and totally understand where you are coming from.

For someone who has visited such places and only seen what happens from an outsiders viewpoint I still am taken aback at times at the responses I observe but not longer seek to criticise or judge.

The benefit of living in this country is to have a choice. It is yours to choose and I respect your right to choose.

Thanks for your support - the reason for my last post is to respond to some people who might say how come I refuse to download the app - and I would like that opportunity to nicely explain how certain perceptions from the past on such people could lead to an outcome or decision now.

 

[RooFlyer]

I'll shut up now

Please keep going ... I've googled what API is, but in the context of this discussion, where/how does it apply for the mug public like me?