Should I download the COVIDSafe app?
The Australian Government developed the COVIDSafe App, a tool to fight against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) for the public, which it is 100% voluntary to download. The purpose of COVIDSafe App is to assist with authorities to track down people who may have been exposed to COVID-19.
Almost all countries in the world are dealing with the pandemic – only a few countries embraced the use of tracing technology to assist with authorities for the fight against the COVID-19 which is Australia, Singapore, UK, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Germany, Israel and Hong Kong.
Health Minister Greg Hunt is pleased to announce that more than 2.5 million people downloaded the coronavirus tracking app in the first 24 hours which he described as “magnificent”.
But like any app or service, it also raises a series of privacy and security questions that had the nation to debate on the mainstream and social media — especially the handling of collected data.
Why do we need the App?
Authorities have 4,000 health officials trained to trace and investigate the infected people’s movement where they have been and who they crossed paths with in order to alert people who may have been exposed to COVID-19. They rely on the people’s memory in order to do tracing work, but it can be tricky especially if people do not have a good memory or accidentally give to a stranger unknowingly such as a recent outbreak occurred at two hospitals in North West Tasmania.
To have an app in our back pocket would provide an additional level for authorities and no efforts required from the public. Authorities would access app data from someone who tests positive and agrees to have their information to be uploaded. They can only use the app information to help alert those who may need to quarantine or get tested.
How does it work?
Downloading the app is voluntary indeed but in order to make the contact-tracing app a success – we need approx 40 per cent of Australians — or 10 million people to sign up and participate.
When you download the App, you would be prompted to provide your name, mobile number, postcode and your age range. You will receive a confirmation SMS text message to complete installation. The system then creates a unique encrypted reference code just for you. Now you can just go about your daily business as the usual. The App will continue to work from the background and might send you reminders to ensure the App is running.
By having COVIDSafe app installed and Bluetooth enabled, the App would recognise another user with COVIDSafe app, it notes the date, time, distance and duration of the contact and the other user’s reference code. The COVIDSafe app does not collect your location.
The information is encrypted and that encrypted identifier is stored securely on your phone. Not even you can access it. The contact information stored in people’s mobiles is deleted on a 21-day rolling cycle. This period takes into account the COVID-19 incubation period, and the time it takes to get tested. For more, see Privacy.
Privacy Concerns?
First things first: COVIDSafe does not collect your location.
Health Minister Greg Hunt shared a determination under the Biosecurity Act to protect people’s privacy and restrict access to information from the App.
According to the Department of Health, the State and territory health authorities can access the information for contact tracing only. The only other access will be by the COVIDSafe Administrator to ensure the proper functioning, integrity and security of COVIDSafe, including to delete your registration information at your request. It will be a criminal offence to use any app data in any other way. The COVIDSafe app cannot be used to enforce quarantine or isolation restrictions, or any other laws.
If you still feel uncomfortable to have the App on your phone and wish to delete, then yes you can send a request for the authorities to delete your information as requested.
How to download?
For Apple users
For Android users
Should we download the COVIDSafe app?
The short answer is YES!
The new COVIDSafe app is completely voluntary of course however the beauty of this app is something YOU can do to protect you, your family and friends and save the lives of other Australians.
The more Australians connect to the COVIDSafe App, the quicker we can find the virus and give confidence to authorities that they would consider easing restrictions on movement sooner than later.
Please stay safe and wash your hands!
Resources
- https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covidsafe-app
- https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6736687/covid-19-tracing-app-take-up-amazing/
- https://www.bbc.com/news/av/technology-52401049/coronavirus-what-is-contact-tracing-and-how-does-it-work
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-04-27/covidsafe-contact-tracing-app-coronavirus-privacy-security/12186044
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-16/meet-the-contact-tracers-fighting-coronavirus-in-australia/12151302
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-28/coronavirus-covid19-contact-tracing-apps-around-the-world/12189438
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-04-27/covidsafe-contact-tracing-app-coronavirus-privacy-security/12186044
Written by The Orginal PC Doctor on 28/4/2020.
why does this App have too suck the life out of your phones battery
Hi John, the app can be taxing on your battery as its actively using the Bluetooth all the time. You can look to replace your phone battery for a new one if its more than a few years old or carry a power bank around with you.
I tried to download the app on my Samsung GT-19195T and it will not download.
Ron – Thank you for your question. The Federal Government acknowledged that the App will not work for older models of mobile phones due to the limitation of security and Bluetooth use. According to the Department of Health’s website, the App will work for Android with Android OS 6.0 (Marshmallow) or higher. We just checked the Samsung Galaxy S4 technical stat which we assume it is the model of your phone and unfortunately, the current OS is 4.4.2 so COVIDSafe App would not work on your phone.
Hi John – what a great question that we all would like to know too! COVIDSafe app requires Bluetooth to be on all the time in order to make the app work – to scan every minute to see what other devices are nearby, and how close they are for the data.
According to the COVIDSafe website, “Battery consumption on tested devices is only marginally greater with the app running.” The answer would depend on what type of phone you use – the size of the battery, how old is it and how often you use the phone. If you run lot of apps at one go then the battery will decrease quickly.
ABC News did a test and found that to having the COVID-Safe app running in the background had a minimal impact on our everyday battery life. Left to run in the background for hours on end, it appeared to consume less battery life than apps like Spotify, Google Photos and Instagram did in mere minutes of active use.
Hope this helps you!
Can I put my wife’s details on my service Victoria covid safe app
I have a Samsung s7 phone. If I can how
Hi Danny, I sure this can be done. Best to contact the office and one of our technicians can guide you through the process. The office phone number is 1300 723 628.