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

 

[Spacetravel]

I've been slowly forgetting to check the app is running more and more these days and starting to consider uninstalling it to save on battery drain. It's not a huge amount but its certainly noticeable. It seems this is hardly pushed now and emphasis is on checking in to venues and wearing a mask.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I've been slowly forgetting to check the app is running more and more these days and starting to consider uninstalling it to save on battery drain. It's not a huge amount but its certainly noticeable. It seems this is hardly pushed now and emphasis is on checking in to venues and wearing a mask.

Complete waste of “tax payers” money. Such a silly ap. Why not do it properly? But that’s obviously rhetorical for politicians. One wonders who has shares in the company that created this debacle.

 

[james4321]

I've been slowly forgetting to check the app is running more and more these days and starting to consider uninstalling it to save on battery drain. It's not a huge amount but its certainly noticeable. It seems this is hardly pushed now and emphasis is on checking in to venues and wearing a mask.

Complete waste of time and battery. I uninstalled it a few days ago

 

[p--and--t]

Tonight I got a notification to update my iPhone for the new operating system inbuilt covid exposure notification functionality.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Tonight I got a notification to update my iPhone for the new operating system inbuilt covid exposure notification functionality.

Yes but it’s not the Australian Govt app is it?

 

[p--and--t]

Yes but it’s not the Australian Govt app is it?

No and they have stated they won't use it.

Might come in useful if international flights ever resume and covid is still floating around at the destination.

Maybe some enterprising app developer might develop something actually useful and release it for free.

 

[TheRealTMA]

No and they have stated they won't use it.

Might come in useful if international flights ever resume and covid is still floating around at the destination.

Maybe some enterprising app developer might develop something actually useful and release it for free.

Ah a great use of a few million dollars of taxpayers money then!

 

[get me outta here]

I seem to remember there were some people who were somewhat sceptical about the federal government’s ability to make a useful Covid safe app. So the results are in and it has cost $4.1 million per contact according to todays’s Aus.

 

[dajop]

The app was originally based on the Singapore App called Trace Together. I was in Singapore during Feb and March and started using Trace Together. I was in Australia from April to early August and started using COVIDSafe App, Then I switched back to Trace Together when I returned to Singapore. The original app evolved considerably over that time, where as I saw no evolution of the COVIDSafe App.

I now use the app to check in and check out of shops, restaurants, shopping centres, the office etc. But the interesting thing you get frequent updates on whether you are having any exchanges with other users, and how many you've had that day (and the last 14 days). It's good to have an app that you can actually get some information out of too, even if it is fairly trivial like # exchanges you've had. For example, today:

 

[Rnwillia]

I have downloaded the App and make sure it's on every time I leave the house. Even if it hasn't been as useful as first thought it is no imposition and who knows, it may just provide vital information when needed some time in the future.

 

[DC3]

We still need to keep shadowing strangers for 15 minutes to get a possible hit. I tend not to do that.

 

[moa999]

I now use the app to check in and check out of shops, restaurants, shopping centres, the office etc. But the interesting thing you get frequent updates

Interesting.
I'd certainly think that adding check-in functions would improve the use of the app (which is half the issue) and would also stop you having to give information to a multitude of private companies
(In NSW the ServiceNSW app is being used by some places).

But I think the last stats I'd seen was TraceTogether only had 17% download in Singapore vs CovidSafe at over 30%.

 

[dajop]

But I think the last stats I'd seen was TraceTogether only had 17% download in Singapore vs CovidSafe at over 30%.

I believe the latest figure is 50%, including TraceTogether tokens that they are issuing free of charge (targetting older members of the community). The aim is to achieve 70% to get to next phase of relaxation of rules. You need to either use the App, a "Safe Entry" data entry (via QR code scan), or scanning your national identity card to enter most places.

 

[OATEK]

Interesting.
I'd certainly think that adding check-in functions would improve the use of the app (which is half the issue) and would also stop you having to give information to a multitude of private companies
(In NSW the ServiceNSW app is being used by some places).

But I think the last stats I'd seen was TraceTogether only had 17% download in Singapore vs CovidSafe at over 30%.

In NSW they are encouraging use of their own check-in function, through the ServiceNSW app, as its easier to connect to the traceing team. Not much point the Feds doing the same thing as they are not directly involved in contact tracing.

 

[Spongbob]

... Not much point the Feds doing the same thing as they are not directly involved in contact tracing.

Duplicating State government activities has never been a concerns for Federal governments.

 

[Lynda2475]

n NSW they are encouraging use of their own check-in function, through the ServiceNSW app, as its easier to connect to the traceing team.

Admittedly I haven't been to a lot of places, just a few local cafes and restaurants and Fox Studios for the Van Gogh Alive exhibit on the weekend - but I'm yet to see a a single venue who is using the NSW govt QR, as most places had different QR solutions in place months before NSW Gov released theirs, and there has been no incentive (or mandate) to switch over.

The new 2qm rule for outdoor dining is dependent on having a QR code, but its doesn't have to be a service NSW one.

 

[SydneySwan]

Admittedly I haven't been to a lot of places, just a few local cafes and restaurants and Fox Studios for the Van Gogh Alive exhibit on the weekend - but I'm yet to see a a single venue who is using the NSW govt QR, as most places had different QR solutions in place months before NSW Gov released theirs, and there has been no incentive (or mandate) to switch over.

The new 2qm rule for outdoor dining is dependent on having a QR code, but its doesn't have to be a service NSW one.

I have used the NSW Gov QR code a couple of times. I have way more confidence in that that than the COVIDsafe app.

 

[Millie]

I cannot get over how the whole issue of this "white Elephant" COVID safe app has been generally forgotten - such a fuss to get people to download and use it and the expense only to now be....................hardly ever mentioned or talked about.
Governments history with technology is bad and this is another good example of incompetence!

 

[jb747]

As soon as it became evident that it didn’t work on Apple devices, and they announced they weren’t going to use the Apple API, it was obvious that they were not serious about this app. So I deleted it.

 

[nutwood]

I cannot get over how the whole issue of this "white Elephant" COVID safe app has been generally forgotten - such a fuss to get people to download and use it and the expense only to now be....................hardly ever mentioned or talked about.
Governments history with technology is bad and this is another good example of incompetence!

The silly thing is that I'm quite sure that there are employees on the Government payroll who are more than capable of doing the job properly but are never asked.
The politicians contract out stuff and because they have no real understanding themselves, they waste millions on white elephants.