NHS Covid 19 App
- Thread starter TopCat
- Start date
Just to remind those who may be concerned about privacy etc. The actual tracking, location data etc is all managed by Apple or Google and extrapolated away from the NHS, Serco, UK Gov etc.
This was against the wishes of the UK Gov who have gone with this safer privacy option with hesitance. This is the 'good' way of doing it that people were arguing for from the beginning.
So as it stands this app gives Apple/Google no more information then they already have on you and NHS/Serco/Gov no more info then they already have on you. It doesn't give them the mechanism to access mics, cam, location, other data on your phone etc etc and if they want that it would explicitly ask your permission.
This was against the wishes of the UK Gov who have gone with this safer privacy option with hesitance. This is the 'good' way of doing it that people were arguing for from the beginning.
So as it stands this app gives Apple/Google no more information then they already have on you and NHS/Serco/Gov no more info then they already have on you. It doesn't give them the mechanism to access mics, cam, location, other data on your phone etc etc and if they want that it would explicitly ask your permission.
Last edited:
souljacker
innit
Supermarket loyalty cards are far worse than this.
Almost certainly. They get some free points and monies from the loyalty cards. The government should pay all people who download this app a quid a day for being connected
Winot
I wholeheartedley agree with your viewpoint
We are on that too. Potentially £425 in vouchers per person for a year’s guaranteed testing.
Edit - daughter looked it up
cupid_stunt
Chief seagull hater & farmerbarleymow's nemesis.
There was someone talking about the 'NHS Scotland Protect Scotland app' on BBC News, from the government or NHS I think, they said over 1.5 million have downloaded it since it was launched 2 weeks ago, and they were pleased with that, saying even if only 15% downloaded it, it would still have some impact, but the more the better.
Scotland's population is around 5.5m, assuming you have to be over 16 to install it, that would take over 1.5m out, minus people with no mobile or old ones, it looks like over 50% of the potential downloads has been reached, in 2 weeks.
prunus
Tick tock.
You can just use it in ‘selfish’ mode - ie to notify others if you test positive - but ignoring alerts that tell you you’ve been in contact with others.
I’m not advocating this, just saying you can, and least some of the functionality and benefit to society will accrue.
Just to clarify, that it does use the camera for the QR code scanner - however this isn't an essential feature and you do have to give explicit permission for it to be able to have access to your camera and denying this won't affect the rest of the app.
I'm not sure against the governments wishes tells the full story.
As I understand it the preference of the government was for Dom's mates to build a proper dodgy version which was paid for and trialed on the IOW. It was said right from the start by everyone in the know that it wouldn't / couldn't work on Apple because they have safeguards built in to stop people like Dom and his dodgy mates. As predictably enough their dodgy app didn't work on apple it had to be canned and they had to work with google & apple instead and that's where we are now.
As for the app itself it was only meant to be one part of a fully functioning and effective track & trace system. The track & trace system is a fucking mess so I can't see how the app will be of much use till they fix that. Personally I don't think they will be able to fix it because of the staggering levels of incompetence, mismanagement and corruption.
platinumsage
HaveMyPassword123
About this app -> about your data -> manage my data -> edit postcode district
platinumsage
HaveMyPassword123
Background, that’s the reason they switched to Apple/Google’s system, as it can then use bluetooth data from when the app is not open.
Leafster
.
I wondered about this too. My neighbours appear to have ignored all the rules about social distancing and mixing with other people throughout the pandemic so if one of them is infected and happens to be standing in the alleyway between our houses and I happen to be sat on the sofa which is up against the wall on the other side would the App be triggered?
ETA: Thinking about it, their attitude to the pandemic would suggest they're highly unlikely to download the App in the first place!
TopCat
Putin fanboy
A free burger in Weatherspoons. App orders only. Note: condiments, cutlery, clean tables may not be available/included.Almost certainly. They get some free points and monies from the loyalty cards. The government should pay all people who download this app a quid a day for being connected
Oh absolutely 100%. The whole thing was an absolute farce and I've been very vocal about that.
However this app is the one that we asked for and it's a step in the right direction and I think it's important to get behind it for it to have a chance of being effective. I'll be watching it like a hawk as will the wider tech/privacy community so I think it's a safe bet and it'd be a shame if the previous mess got in the way of uptake of this app.
danny la rouge
More like *fanny* la rouge!
I’ve got the Scottish one. It’s very accurate.
andysays
Love and solidarity
If it's all anonymous, how are you supposed to prove to eg an employer that you've been ordered to quarantine for two weeks?
TopCat
Putin fanboy
Forward the text.
Print screen and email it ?
andysays
Love and solidarity
But then it could apply to anyone.
I could ask one of you to send me your text alert*, and use it with my employer to get some time off at home.
*hypothetically of course, I'm not wishing it on you.
TopCat
Putin fanboy
Gross misconduct.
andysays
Love and solidarity
But unprovable, unless there's something I've missed.
I'm not suggesting anyone should do this, but there does seem a potential problem with this thing being anonymous.
I know that but you could also tell your doctor over the phone you had the symptoms and get a doctors note.
cybershot
Well-Known Member
Well that’s not obvious. Thanks though.
editor
hiraethified
Now down to a solid 1.6 rating on Google Play
play.google.com
But then:
NHS COVID-19 - Apps on Google Play
Protect your loved ones with the NHS contact tracing app for England and Wales.
But then:
Guardian reporting that some people are being directed to the old dodgy app, or the one they're using in New Zealand!
I wouldn't have touched the old one with a bargepole, but even people like Paul Bernal, who was very vocal about the that, seem to think this app is alright in terms of privacy. I'll download it, but since I'm not planning on going anywhere for a few days am going to hang fire and let other people find the problems first!
I wouldn't have touched the old one with a bargepole, but even people like Paul Bernal, who was very vocal about the that, seem to think this app is alright in terms of privacy. I'll download it, but since I'm not planning on going anywhere for a few days am going to hang fire and let other people find the problems first!
Cid
Proper break this time
Now down to a solid 1.6 rating on Google Play
NHS COVID-19 - Apps on Google Play
Protect your loved ones with the NHS contact tracing app for England and Wales.
But then:
Yes, most bad reviews are from the trial period, so give it a decent one. Not quite sure why they didn’t release a non-review test version, maybe it’s difficult.
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