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

 

[harvyk]

10 is old to have a mobile phone now - the world has changed

Some do, my 12 year old certainly does, although much to her disappointment it's less smart, and more SMS and phone calls only.

 

[Bell21]

Some do, my 12 year old certainly does, although much to her disappointment it's less smart, and more SMS and phone calls only.

You've done well! My youngest (13) has elder siblings all of course with 'smart phones' and all his friends do too, so we succumbed

 

[Steamrollersam]

App didn’t recognise my phone number until I switched VPN off. Turned VPN on again after receiving PIN.

 

[tomlee1986]

Wow, so you trust Google and Facebook more than our Govt. A bit naive to think that they don't use the copious amount of data they have from you and that they don't use it/sell it/abuse it all for their own benefit.

I do trust the government - but in terms of security and data that we did not willingly provide - google and facebook could use our data - of course we are concerned how they use our data, but their use of such data could not lead to legal consequences - unlike the government, where that is possible... that is the difference of the 2

Post automatically merged: Apr 28, 2020

App didn’t recognise my phone number until I switched VPN off. Turned VPN on again after receiving PIN.

May I ask is this an iPhone or android phone?

 

[tomlee1986]

They want their jobs back.

I hope not too many people are ill informed or selfish and just download it so we can get on with some kind of return to normal

I agree with you that many people want their jobs back, but I disagree on the comment about being selfish for NOT downloading it - as PM Morrison did say it is voluntary - and some people chose not to do so..

 

[RooFlyer]

ABC radio news in Tas is still calling this a ‘tracking app’ Yesterday, The morning show host also only called it a ‘tracking’ app.

So, the same ABC radio morning host has the Tas Premier on. Asks if he has downloaded the app: "Yes - have you?"
Reply from the host to the effect - I ask questions here, I don't answer them.

How pathetic.

On today's 'Coronacast' on ABC radio, 2 of the three hosts on the show said they weren't going to download the app, one saying 'until we see the open source released'.

Again, how pathetic.

 

[blackcat20]

I've got no issue with the app; if it gets us out of this situation faster then I'm on board.

 

[RooFlyer]

google and facebook could use our data - of course we are concerned how they use our data, but their use of such data could not lead to legal consequences - unlike the government, where that is possible... that is the difference of the 2

Sorry, you are mistaken again. Google and Facebook data is certainly admissible in court, off your devices. Separately, I wish I could find it now, but there was an 'investigative' story, in the Age a while back where the reported had his phone on the strongest 'privacy'/no track settings and walked around for a week. Then gave his phone to techie to see not only what had been recorded, but what had bee uploaded to Google, in the background. It was staggering; almost an open book - even elevation type data. You can bet 100% that every 'privacy' geek is going over the COVIDSafe app minutely to try to find flaws and be the first to 'reveal'. So far, I'm not hearing anything.

The COVIDSafe data cannot be used for any legal proceedings. And even the state health departments cannot access the proximity data stored on your phone until you consent, for a second time, to have the encrypted data extracted when you have been identified as being in close contact with a confirmed case.

 

[Pushka]

So, the same ABC radio morning host has the Tas Premier on. Asks if he has downloaded the app: "Yes - have you?"
Reply from the host to the effect - I ask questions here, I don't answer them.

How pathetic.

On today's 'Coronacast' on ABC radio, 2 of the three hosts on the show said they weren't going to download the app, one saying 'until we see the open source released'.

Again, how pathetic.

i think the radio is diverging from the TV audience. Surprisingly SBS and Channel 2 seemed surprisingly almost supportive. In that they didn't heap the usual $hit on the Government and Morrison. Given, so far, Australians performance with regards to Covid I'm waiting for them to take credit, somehow, for that on the world arena.

 

[benn_]

I cannot see any reason not to use this. If it gets us out of lockdown quicker then why not!! DOWNLOAD THE APP!

If you are concerned about being tracked, turn off your location services for the app. Actually if you are concerned about being tracked, turn off your location services for your whole phone. Because I bet 90% of the apps on your phone track you and sell that data to third parties.

If you are concerned about the government getting your information, you give them more information when you are doing a tax return......

Absolutely no excuse!!

 

[GoldCanyon340]

If you are concerned about the government getting your information, you give them more information when you are doing a tax return......

Tax returns are mandatory.

 

[dajop]

Just to show the similarities between this and the Singapore app (which it is based on), I received notifications at 9am morning from both apps simultaneously ....

 

[tomlee1986]

Sorry, you are mistaken again. Google and Facebook data is certainly admissible in court, off your devices. Separately, I wish I could find it now, but there was an 'investigative' story, in the Age a while back where the reported had his phone on the strongest 'privacy'/no track settings and walked around for a week. Then gave his phone to techie to see not only what had been recorded, but what had bee uploaded to Google, in the background. It was staggering; almost an open book - even elevation type data. You can bet 100% that every 'privacy' geek is going over the COVIDSafe app minutely to try to find flaws and be the first to 'reveal'. So far, I'm not hearing anything.

The COVIDSafe data cannot be used for any legal proceedings. And even the state health departments cannot access the proximity data stored on your phone until you consent, for a second time, to have the encrypted data extracted when you have been identified as being in close contact with a confirmed case.

I understand many people think it is a way to get out of lock down sooner... but I personally am not convinced and will stay opposed of using it..

This being said... I would not persuade anyone NOT to download it because each person have their needs

Post automatically merged: Apr 28, 2020

Tax returns are mandatory.

Exactly but the usage of this app is voluntary

 

[moa999]

Just to show the similarities between this and the Singapore app (which it is based on), I received notifications at 9am morning from both apps simultaneously ....

View attachment 216404

The base code is the same. Singapore released there code as open source license.

 

[tomlee1986]

So, the same ABC radio morning host has the Tas Premier on. Asks if he has downloaded the app: "Yes - have you?"
Reply from the host to the effect - I ask questions here, I don't answer them.

How pathetic.

On today's 'Coronacast' on ABC radio, 2 of the three hosts on the show said they weren't going to download the app, one saying 'until we see the open source released'.

Again, how pathetic.

To be honest... some people do not trust government enough with the data collected and the use of it is strictly related to the pandemic and nothing else... I don’t blame them for thinking that way

 

[benn_]

Tax returns are mandatory.

I don't understand your point here......

That "personal" information the app requires (which is name/age bracket/mobile number) the government already has.

 

[Pushka]

To be honest... some people do not trust government enough with the data collected and the use of it is strictly related to the pandemic and nothing else... I don’t blame them for thinking that way

So it collects that I've been near someone who has tested positive for Covid and I've spent more than 15 minutes with them. I've used Bluetooth. I've used my mobile and postcode. They may know my real name? Heck, I've received spam cougho messages from randoms in Russia who likely know more about me than that. Where did they come from? Internet providers? Phone number lists?

 

[dajop]

Given the way the app works, the biggest fear of government misuse of data is probably that they will use it to enforce social distancing rules. Ironically, those who probably fear this sort of misuse of data the most, are the ones who it is probably most useful for (those who are likely to break social distancing rules). Perhaps the question should be of those who mistrust the government, are you already wilfully ignoring social distancing rules? If not, what have you got to hide?

I live under no illusion, that most of us, are probably revealing more about ourselves here on AFF than this app with safeguards in place.

[rant]I also find even more ironic that people are taking to twitter and facebook to vent about it and that they wouldn't trust the government, whilst willingly baring their whole lives via those said channels to private corporations based in the USA. Who do we trust more, the government we can boot out at elections, lead by a PM who can booted out even between elections, or a money making private company who cares nought for us, other than our potential to generate profits for them?[\rant]

 

[tomlee1986]

Given the way the app works, the biggest fear of government misuse of data is probably that they will use it to enforce social distancing rules. Ironically, those who probably fear this sort of misuse of data the most, are the ones who it is probably most useful for (those who are likely to break social distancing rules). Perhaps the question should be of those who mistrust the government, are you already wilfully ignoring social distancing rules? If not, what have you got to hide?

I live under no illusion, that most of us, are probably revealing more about ourselves here on AFF than this app with safeguards in place.

[rant]I also find even more ironic that people are taking to twitter and facebook to vent about it and that they wouldn't trust the government, whilst willingly baring their whole lives via those said channels to private corporations based in the USA. Who do we trust more, the government we can boot out at elections, lead by a PM who can booted out even between elections, or a money making private company who cares nought for us, other than our potential to generate profits for them?[\rant]

For me I don’t go out often... I in fact stay at home more with no breaking of the rules... I agree some might use the non downloading of this app to break the rules... but don’t forget people will do stupid and idiot things no matter if they download the app or not

 

[OATEK]

To be honest... some people do not trust government enough with the data collected and the use of it is strictly related to the pandemic and nothing else... I don’t blame them for thinking that way

I think we all understand that for people who come from cultures dominated by authoritarian government, there is no way to easily overcome the fear that data collected from a personal phone could be used against them. It is an ingrained fear and no amount of persuasion will likely cut through that fear even though others may think such responses seem paranoid.

It seems to me though, that there is also a concern about the Government knowing where you have been from this app, that is not well founded. While your phone knows where you have been, the app is not collecting that data. The app is collecting data about which phones were in close proximity, as it is the potential carriers of the virus who own those phones that are important, not where you are geographically.