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NHS Covid 19 Contact Tracing App

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
It requires a phone running iOS 13.5 (which means iPhone 6s from 2015 or newer) or Android 6 (released 2015) or better.

Apple and Google designed the contact tracing features so they could ensure privacy (no personal tracing data is communicated, just a constantly changing random code for each contact), so the app needs latest versions of iOS and Android to access them. And the ability to use the system for recording contacts cannot be bypassed, which is what the original government app tried and failed to do.

Although they should still have released a version for older phones without the tracing feature, but to enable the other features, such as checking in to places and receiving information.
 
will we be denied access to premises if we are unable to use QR codes and contact tracing in the future?
will i have to buy a new phone so i can get the app so i can go into a shop?
how do i use a QR code,i tried waving my phone in front of one the other day but nothing happened?
 
I realistically don’t think you are going to be denied entry and expected to purchase a new phone, the app is meant to be voluntary.

Couple of things I thought about.

What happens if your phone battery dies, the phone crashes, etc, how will that impact the tracking? There would just be no tracking of who you came into contact with during that period I’m guessing?

How does an individual declare they have tested positive for the app to alert anyone they have been in contact with? What if someone just declared they tested positive for the fun of it? What verification is there if the tracking is meant to be anonymous?
 
atoll said:
will we be denied access to premises if we are unable to use QR codes and contact tracing in the future?
Click to expand...
There’s a pub nearby at the bottom of a hill, that’s had to abandon the QR code scheme and resort to pencil and paper, because nobody can get a mobile signal there.
I don’t have a smart phone, and have found all places I’ve visited so far either enter it for you on their system, or are using pen and paper anyway because none of their older customers have smart phones.
 
I see that the government has paid Apple another chunk of money (not recorded anywhere) to put the Covid App top of the list of new Apps. The comments above show that this is a complete waste of time anyway.
 
Tried to use the QR code via the NHS app at lunchtime, but unfortunately the app wouldn’t accept the code.
 
MarkGeordie said:
How does an individual declare they have tested positive for the app to alert anyone they have been in contact with? What if someone just declared they tested positive for the fun of it?
Click to expand...

As far as I understand it you enter a code (which has been sent via email).
 
Bruce Stephens said:
As far as I understand it you enter a code (which has been sent via email).
Click to expand...

That’s good to know. Just wasn’t sure if the system was open to abuse.
 
MarkGeordie said:
Just wasn’t sure if the system was open to abuse.
Click to expand...

I don't know how robust the checks are, but I imagine they're adequate. My impression is that they aren't expecting people who're informed of contacts by the app to self-isolate, necessarily. More that they might be extra careful and treat it as a warning that there are cases nearby. (So the incentive for trying to cause trouble with it is probably quite low.)
 
Before the app was released, I read the government have the rights to store your data indefinitely.
I am not prone to conspiracy theories but don't want to give away my personal whereabouts.
Can anyone confirm what happens to this data?
 
helli said:
Before the app was released, I read the government have the rights to store your data indefinitely.
I am not prone to conspiracy theories but don't want to give away my personal whereabouts.
Can anyone confirm what happens to this data?
Click to expand...

This version is said to be much more privacy-focused, with almost all information just stored on each phone. The privacy notice appears to be this

www.gov.uk

[Withdrawn] [Withdrawn] NHS COVID-19 app: privacy notice

www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
 
I noticed today 3 have a link on their app to the app. Still not made my mind up about.
 
just been reported already causing problems. Don,t trust this governments handling of the covid-19 pandemic. So will not be downloading it. You can leave your name at venues. Some people dont have fancy not i- phones new up to date i- phones so to me a waste of time anyway.
 
helli said:
Before the app was released, I read the government have the rights to store your data indefinitely.
I am not prone to conspiracy theories but don't want to give away my personal whereabouts.
Can anyone confirm what happens to this data?
Click to expand...

As far as I can make out there is no central storage of personal data.

I saw something shared online from someone who was part of the development team yesterday, but can’t find it now and can’t exactly remember the details.

The gist was that if you delete the app, you delete the data.
 
Lanny said:
No Mike @everydayupsanddowns , not on iPhone 6 as that’s ios12! Just tried it & won’t download! :( Ah well, I rarely go out anyway!🙄
Click to expand...
I’ve iPhone 6 and managed no problem. Maybe needs an update. Go to your settings and it will show if you do. I updated mine just a couple of weeks ago.
 
mikeyB said:
I see that the government has paid Apple another chunk of money (not recorded anywhere) to put the Covid App top of the list of new Apps. The comments above show that this is a complete waste of time anyway.
Click to expand...
It was right there when I opened the App Store, no searching needed.
 
My brother has it on his mobile, but couldn't put it on mine, not that I'm bothered, I can't be doing with all this techie stuff. Apparently we're a high risk area. 🙄
 
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