COVID-19 Tracking App Mega Discussion Thread

[Deactivated] on 15/04/2020 - 01:37
Last edited 27/04/2020 - 10:57 by 2 other users

Mega Thread for COVID-19 App discussions (Description Updated 27/4/20)

Please use this thread for any discussions about COVID-19 app discussions, rather than making a new thread. Also see below for other specific/related threads.

Poll Options

148
Yes.Why?
251
No. Why?
2
Other

Mobile COVID-19

Comments

- - Elyxar on 27/04/2020 - 08:16
    
    +2
    
    The problem is you are not going to get 15 minutes of continuous Bluetooth connection with anyone in a supermarket so won’t trigger this mostly placebo of an app. Someone coughs in an elevator you are in for two minutes gives you the virus and guess what? It won’t be of use to track where you got it from.
  - skid on 27/04/2020 - 09:08
    
    It does access your GPS module:
    
    https://github.com/ghuntley/COVIDSafe_1.0.11.apk/blob/ebce5c…
- hashtagbargain on 27/04/2020 - 07:57
  
  +5
  
  This is a forum post at best. Not a deal.
- Yaren24 on 27/04/2020 - 07:57
  
  +1
  
  Bill Gates?
- Dogsbreakfast on 27/04/2020 - 07:58
  
  +3
  
  You'd have to have rocks in your head if you would trust this gov with any sort of data security.
  - [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 08:01
    
    -4
    
    How about you look at what the app holds and does, y’know make an informed decision instead of spouting misinformation?
    - Dogsbreakfast on 27/04/2020 - 08:04
      
      +1
      
      So you have access to the source code?
      
      What misinformation did i spread?
      
      Enlighten us.
- WatkinTench on 27/04/2020 - 07:58
  
  +5
  
  As plenty have said, not a deal, belongs in a forum post.
- [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 07:58
  
  +3
  
  Yep, this not a deal, free apps that means to be always free
- Tal_Shiar on 27/04/2020 - 07:59
  
  Get your popcorn before Michael Jackson smells it people!!!
- Food on 27/04/2020 - 08:00
  
  +2
  
  No deals here
- Kiwiboy86 on 27/04/2020 - 08:00
  
  +6
  
  First of all, this is not a 'deal'.
  
  Second of all, how about NO.
  - [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 08:02
    
    -7
    
    You’re the reason life can’t go back to normal.
    - Kiwiboy86 on 27/04/2020 - 08:03
      
      +7
      
      Yes despite sticking to all social distancing guidelines, but because I refuse to allow this invasion of privacy, I have single-handedly spread Covid.
    - Elyxar on 27/04/2020 - 08:18
      
      The people having parties and going to the beach for fun are the reason.
  - [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 08:03
    
    -1
    
    Tinfoil hat > saving lives
- [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 08:02
  
  +1
  
  The reviews are a good laugh, it's a bargain they're free to read….
- maddoglee on 27/04/2020 - 08:03
  
  Thanks OP! Got one! I've been waiting for this to go on sale since the start of this year! Now I just have to get a good deal on COVID-19 to get some use out of this cool app!!
- [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 08:03
  
  +8
  
  My goodness…the number of people crying about their location being tracked. IT ISN"T. This app does NOT even use location. People download countless apps that use location permissions and don't bat an eye. This one doesn't even use location and fools be like NO WAY.
  
  Go to Google Maps on your phone, go to settings and tap 'Your timeline.' Take a look at the to the minute tracking of your location that has been done there, probably without you even realising. Its tracked where you've gone, what time you left, what time you arrived, your mode of transport, places you stopped along the way etc and how long you stopped for. All without you realising.
  
  Would it be better to not have to download this App? Sure. If not for yourself though, think about your family and friends. How would you feel if your elderly parents of grandparents contracted Covid-19 from you and died, and you could have prevented it had you not walked around for weeks not having realised you had come into contact with someone who tested positive to it? THAT is what this App is intended to prevent
- BeefBiryani on 27/04/2020 - 08:03
  
  +3
  
  This is how it starts.
- 7GreenCow on 27/04/2020 - 08:03
  
  I hate all these restriction and any authoritarian. And this app is no cure but if it HELPS restore local business, jobs and economy sooner … I am willing to do my part :)
- thestig on 27/04/2020 - 08:03
  
  +1
  
  This is of most direct benefit to the people who aren't completely self isolating and are coming into contact with people outside their household. However, if enough people download the app it will give the government confidence that if they lift restrictions and there's an outbreak, they can trace who needs to isolate again rather than increase restrictions again. Therefore will get us back to normal quicker. Doesn't worry me if the government knows I'm just seeing my wife. I haven't lost my job in this but I will download it to help the unfortunate people who have to get their livelihood back sooner.
  - Elyxar on 27/04/2020 - 08:22
    
    This won’t trace most of the cases.
- zilver on 27/04/2020 - 08:04
  
  +4
  
  Privacy infringed upon for free!
- neyo on 27/04/2020 - 08:04
  
  +1
  
  Terrible deal
- vchoy on 27/04/2020 - 08:05
  
  +7
  
  For developers out there;
  
  It's de-compilable - they made no attempt to hide or obfuscate the code.
  
  yes, the application is free and does save lives.
  
  Tech details
  
  Cloud provider is AWS but the target Availablity zone is AWS - Sydney ap-southeast-2
  
  Although not open source yet (I believe they needed to get this app out asap - I take their word on this one as they said they will release the source - some tidying up to do:)
  
  For ios version it appears that they used swift so all of the api calls are within spec.
  
  Given this: data deleted after 21 days, open source code, AWS in Australia, sensible security practices etc
  
  We in this together, I believe everyone is working with good intent. Hopefully once they opensource the code, there is total transparency to ease privacy concerns.
- littlegreenman on 27/04/2020 - 08:05
  
  +2
  
  This is the time where you shouldn't ask what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country. By installing and running this you can safe lives and improve the lives of your fellow countrymen and women.
  
  Most people are happy to publish all their private details and give away ownership of those details and photos on Instagram, Facebook, the Apple and Google platform. So do the right thing and run this app.
  
  A legislative instrument has been passed that only the state health officers can access the data, this will be re-ratified in parliament during the next sitting.
  
  The data is stored on AWS where most of your most personal information is stored including Medicare, banking and the electoral roll. You never had an issue with that.
  
  Install the app today, not selfishly for yourself but for the person next to you.
  - Elyxar on 27/04/2020 - 08:26
    
    +2
    
    Your comment is a clear example of why this isn’t a bargain and should be in the forums.
  - zilver on 27/04/2020 - 12:00
    
    i had an issue with it but i didnt have a choice
- pennypacker on 27/04/2020 - 08:05
  
  So this "deal" was posted around 7:20, and 40 minutes later we have;
  
  Unresolved Reports
  
  9 for Other 7 for Spam 2 for Illegal/Inappropriate
  
  Last reported 4 min ago
  
  Report #2 and #3 I can kind of understand, especially if they're all done at the same time. But here we are with report #18, done around 7:55am. WITAF. In fact, reporters from around #5 onwards, what goes through your mind?
  - ilikedeals on 27/04/2020 - 08:12
    
    What’s your point? There are now nearly 30 reports
    - Clear on 27/04/2020 - 08:16
      
      +1
      
      Why keep on reporting? - that's the point.
      
      Then again all these not a deal negative votes are against guidelines but it doesn't take a smart cookie to realise the validity of this deal is the mods number 1 discussion today.
      - ilikedeals on 27/04/2020 - 08:17
        
        @Clear: The more reports = the quicker it gets noticed/actioned by the moderators (vs. the other posts with 1-2 reports). A bit like a prioritising system
        
        Clear on 27/04/2020 - 08:26
        
        @ilikedeals: Yeah it wasn't my point. I would encourage the reporting over negging as the mods will read them.
        
        ilikedeals on 27/04/2020 - 08:27
        
        @Clear: Gotcha
    - pennypacker on 27/04/2020 - 08:17
      
      My point is the reports after the first few are unnecessary. I thought that much was clear.
      - ilikedeals on 27/04/2020 - 08:17
        
        @pennypacker: See above. The more reports = the quicker it gets flagged
- Pratty on 27/04/2020 - 08:05
  
  +1
  
  This isn’t a deal. Get it off the damn front page. Ridiculous.
- bargain ben on 27/04/2020 - 08:06
  
  Forum post.
- InsertCrow on 27/04/2020 - 08:07
  
  +1
  
  This is an announcement, not a deal.
- blehgg on 27/04/2020 - 08:07
  
  +2
  
  I can understand why Trump's in power
  - FireRunner on 27/04/2020 - 08:13
    
    It’s not a deal regardless of your opinion on it
- Prahaan on 27/04/2020 - 08:07
  
  +2
  
  Not a deal. Admin please remove.
- hoverboardrider on 27/04/2020 - 08:07
  
  +2
  
  Not a deal. Also, anyone who trusts the Australian govt has got rocks in their head (bloody lying sneaky self-serving politicians).
  - SBOB on 27/04/2020 - 08:28
    
    +1
    
    bloody lying sneaky self-serving politicians
    
    you could have just written politicians and saved some redundant words ;)
    - hoverboardrider on 27/04/2020 - 11:43
      
      Yeah good point.
- PotsyMcGoon on 27/04/2020 - 08:07
  
  +6
  
  All the people saying "It only uses Bluetooth" and "It only takes the absolute required data". How are you verifying this? or are you just mimicking some mouthpiece?
  
  Until the source code is released and reviewed, no one here can reliably say exactly what this application does with your data.
  
  Funny how employing a little critical thinking gets you chastised so readily.
  - thestig on 27/04/2020 - 08:12
    
    Do you really think people are verifying the source code on every app they download? But the one that will help people get their jobs back is the one we should worry about most?
    - [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 08:17
      
      +1
      
      Justifying superstition with the "critical thinking" excuse. Just like all the other conspiracy nuts out there.
      - PotsyMcGoon on 27/04/2020 - 08:58
        
        @[Deactivated]: Every decision in life should involve some aspect of critical thinking.
        
        Complacency and our tendency to outsource decision making to someone else is just lazy.
        
        Dismissive name calling doesn't really change my stance on that.
    - PotsyMcGoon on 27/04/2020 - 09:08
      
      +2
      
      You're absolutely right, most likely all this information is freely given up to applications already widely used and sold to god knows where. Myself included.
      
      The real value to the government is gauging how readily the public will give up their right to privacy.
      
      Once we've accepted some minor hit to our privacy it becomes easier to give up more incrementally
      
      It doesn't seem like they're overreaching because we agreed to it.
      
      Queue the next update to the application; "It's only tracking GPS location to save lives!"…"Well it's already tracking Bluetooth, I guess a little more information won't matter"
      
      Possibly hyperbole, but you get the idea.
      
      You give an inch at first and they will then take a mile and it won't be for the purpose of saving jobs and lives.
      - CJ31 on 27/04/2020 - 10:00
        
        @PotsyMcGoon: So long as it only stores it on your phone and makes it optional, I'd have no problem with adding location data to the app. It is my choice to record it or not, it is my choice to give up the data or not.
        
        PotsyMcGoon on 27/04/2020 - 10:14
        
        @CJ31: Correct, everyone has a choice, at least for now.
        
        As long as your informed and your decision is your own then that's only for you to decide.
        
        Would your decision change if you found out that the data was being sent off of the device? How would you know, or would you take them at their word without investigating further?
  - [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 08:16
    
    +3
    
    It's been decompiled and looked through by people already.
    https://github.com/ghuntley/COVIDSafe_1.0.11.apk
    
    There you go, have a look.
    
    It does NOT track location.
  - SBOB on 27/04/2020 - 08:19
    
    Until the source code is released and reviewed, no one here can reliably say exactly what this application does with your data.
    
    and now its been decompiled you'll download it and revoke your neg?
    - PotsyMcGoon on 27/04/2020 - 09:10
      
      +1
      
      I don't see a deal here, so no.
- s1Lence on 27/04/2020 - 08:08
  
  THIS IS NOT A DEAL
  - matt-ozb on 27/04/2020 - 08:11
    
    THIS IS BETTER THAN SITTING AT HOME LIKE YOU WILL NEED TO DO.
    - s1Lence on 27/04/2020 - 08:12
      
      +6
      
      STILL NOT A DEAL, BELONGS IN FORUMS
      - SBOB on 27/04/2020 - 08:19
        
        +6
        
        @s1Lence: LOUD NOISES
        
        Dealhunter967671 on 27/04/2020 - 08:19
        
        @SBOB: 😂
      - matt-ozb on 27/04/2020 - 16:03
        
        @s1Lence: HERE'S THE DEAL ..
        a) INSTALL APP AND GET OUT OF YOUR HOUSE
        b) DON'T INSTALL APP AND STAY HOME
        
        WHICH IS A BETTER DEAL? OPTION A IS A GREAT OZBARGAIN DEAL
- ilikedeals on 27/04/2020 - 08:08
  
  +1
  
  Downloaded the app yesterday (no reason not to) but this isn’t a deal!
  - matt-ozb on 27/04/2020 - 08:10
    
    -1
    
    it's a good deal .. better than staying at home so that you dont kill someone.
    - ilikedeals on 27/04/2020 - 08:13
      
      It’s a good app, not a good deal to make it to the front page!
    - Pratty on 27/04/2020 - 08:22
      
      +3
      
      How exactly do you believe this app stops you killing someone?
      
      Staying home works. Social distancing works.
      - Elyxar on 27/04/2020 - 08:32
        
        @Pratty: Exactly! People will think oh it’s okay if I go out and socialise, I have The App. It will trace everyone I come in contact with. No it won’t. Only after 15 minutes. Damage already done and no trace. Mostly a placebo!
        
        Pratty on 27/04/2020 - 08:36
        
        @Elyxar: You’re right. Sounds like it’s leading to a false sense of security.
      - blehgg on 27/04/2020 - 08:52
        
        @Pratty: Why is this even a question - It doesn't save lives.
        
        It's for contact tracing - Numbers get low enough, we want the ability to open the country up again safely.
        
        We want the ability to contact those who have been possibly in contact with someone who's come back positive and get people to self isolate to avoid it spreading (in large numbers) again.
        
        Staying at home works now - do you want to stay at home forever?
        
        Do you want to have these restrictions come back over and over and over again when numbers spike?
        
        1 infects 4 infect 16 etc
        
        If you stop at 16, by contacting those people in time (hey guys stay at home for 2 weeks will ya) - isn't that a good enough deal to allow everyone to get back to the beaches?
        
        I'm sick of gyms being closed.
        
        Will you trust Bob across the road remembering every place he's been for 2 weeks - while he's potentially contagious?
        
        https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/Co…
      - matt-ozb on 27/04/2020 - 11:22
        
        @Pratty: obviously you can track people exposed to a positive .. then get them to isolate in case they are positive to avoid infecting 100 other people.
- seanneko on 27/04/2020 - 08:08
  
  Not a bargain even if they paid me to use it.
  - matt-ozb on 27/04/2020 - 08:11
    
    as long as you are happy to stay at home for a long time.
    - seanneko on 27/04/2020 - 08:18
      
      +1
      
      I don't need to stay home. No movement restrictions in my state.
- jasejase on 27/04/2020 - 08:08
  
  Not a deal
  - matt-ozb on 27/04/2020 - 08:11
    
    -5
    
    … then stay at home
    - jasejase on 27/04/2020 - 08:12
      
      +6
      
      Yep, I've been doing that for the past 5 weeks. Cheers!
      - matt-ozb on 27/04/2020 - 16:01
        
        @jasejase: It's a good deal .. install the app then we can all get out sooner .. the other option, is don't install the app and stay sitting at home for longer.
- popsiee on 27/04/2020 - 08:09
  
  The reward we get for stopping the spread with social isolation is a app . Should be all businesses that can apply effective social isolation in stage one up and running again .
  Tell Vic Hitler golf and fishing now is fine .
- inasero on 27/04/2020 - 08:09
  
  I agree with the stated aims and intentions of the app, but could someone please explain how this is going to save lives? I'm quite sceptical about the claims of using Bluetooth to perform contact tracing, particularly when community transmission represents a minor source of spread at this point in time. Is Bluetooth proximity adequate to determine if someone has been a "close contact" of someone known to be a confirmed case of SARS-nCOV2?
  - matt-ozb on 27/04/2020 - 08:10
    
    The 15 mins time seems a bit odd to me .. but if you have been with a positive person, then surely you would like to know?
  - FrugalDealHunter on 27/04/2020 - 08:20
    
    +1
    
    Pretty simple: if you’ve been in contact for 15 mins then it’s likely you may have it so you should get tested and prevent further spreading.
    
    Without the app, you won’t know
    - inasero on 27/04/2020 - 08:25
      
      Bluetooth range for pairing is supposedly 10m,so if that's the case then the app will massively overestimate the number of suspected "contacts".
      
      Also I refute your claim that you won't know without the app. The app does not (and cannot) replace meticulous contact tracing in the event of a confirmed exposure
      - FrugalDealHunter on 27/04/2020 - 08:30
        
        @inasero: The health authorities will do contact tracing. The app will help
      - Xizor on 27/04/2020 - 09:04
        
        @inasero: I believe the mantra is better to over estimate and widdle down than have NFI? Surely that much should be obvious to all. For example we were at bunnings & BWS yesterday… as if i have a clue who i was around. That said not having the app means neither will anyone else.
    - matt-ozb on 27/04/2020 - 11:22
      
      yea … but I would prefer 30 seconds or 10 seconds .. not 15 minutes.
- gila24 on 27/04/2020 - 08:09
  
  -1
  
  If you’ve got any concerns regarding this app, pls follow Troy Hunt on the Twitter. It is always those who know it all……not surprised
- subboy on 27/04/2020 - 08:10
  
  +4
  
  Yes it is not a deal, get over it!
  I think during this unprecedented time posting this as a deal is not something we should negative vote, report ect.
  
  I already have the app and am registered, however there may be a number of people who did not know this app was live, others may need a reminder to download it, and putting it in this section allows bigger coverage than to put it in forums etc.
  
  It is about mates looking after mates, Aussies looking after Aussies .. if there has ever been an excuse to allow the rules to slide just once, this is it.
  
  Yes it is not a deal, nor would it be normal to post it as such, but we are not living in a normal world right now. (maybe this app will allow us to get back to some kind of normal sooner than later)
- shellshocked on 27/04/2020 - 08:10
  
  +1
  
  Those that are so concerned about being tracked why are you on a smart phone or using a computer on this site. You have been sharing your data for years through multiple applications. Just face it that you are not that important and nobody cares. Please also look up how Bluetooth works before talking about GPS tracking. They are not related.
- DSCRAC on 27/04/2020 - 08:11
  
  +4
  
  This is NOT a deal ..
  - muzzamo on 27/04/2020 - 08:48
    
    +1
    
    agree
- britta on 27/04/2020 - 08:12
  
  -1
  
  Why are people sooooo precious of their privacy?? What are people doing that they want to keep there movements under wrap?
  
  Google is tracking my every step….so what!! I like the fact that when its time for me to knock off work google already knows im about to leave and has provided me a traffic update and advised me to take an alternative route. I like it when I walk into a store my phone already has my loyalty card ready to go. I like the fact when I get home at night time my lights turn on to welcome me.
  
  There are so many ways to track us…google….apple….facebook….and the list goes on. Stop fighting it and embrace the benefits. I this case this thing could literary save lives, maybe even yours!
  
  If your seriously concerned about someone watching your movements maybe you are doing something you shouldn't……
  - sssbp on 27/04/2020 - 08:18
    
    +4
    
    Why are people sooooo precious of their privacy?? What are people doing that they want to keep there movements under wrap?
    
    If your seriously concerned about someone watching your movements maybe you are doing something you shouldn't……
    
    Terrible take.
    
    We have a right to privacy.
    
    this thing could literary save lives, maybe even yours!
    
    Agreed.
  - h4lcyon on 27/04/2020 - 08:45
    
    +1
    
    With this thinking you should also live in a glass house because you have nothing to hide.
    
    Everyone has a right to privacy.
    - britta on 27/04/2020 - 08:47
      
      I never said we don't have a right to privacy, I said why are we so precious about it?
      - h4lcyon on 27/04/2020 - 09:34
        
        @britta: Because it's like trust, once it's lost or broken it's very hard to claim back.
- Kurohayabusa on 27/04/2020 - 08:13
  
  +12
  
  Pretty sure this is not considered a "deal" or "bargain"
  
  But regardless of whether or not it belongs on ozbargain, this app makes sense. It makes things a lot simpler and a lot more comprehensive than traditional contact tracing. As we start to loosen restrictions on daily activity, travel, work etc we will inevitably lose the ability to adequately "social distance" from each other and local transmission will rise quickly. That is when quick response to new cases and quick contact tracing will be paramount to limiting the second wave that is now becoming apparent in countries like Singapore.
  
  Things it does not do: track your GPS location, monitor phone usage, steal information from other apps, record video/audio, automatically upload a constant stream of data to the government to spy on your daily activities.
  Things it does do: Keep a list of bluetooth devices it has been near. That's pretty much it.
  
  When you first register with the app, it will generate a unique code representing your phone, which gets uploaded to their database.
  Then it just keeps a lookout for other bluetooth devices nearby. If you are near another phone with the app for longer than a certain period, the two phones exchange codes, and add it to their lists. If a person is diagnosed with COVID they'll be asked to press a button in the app which uploads that list to their database where it is compared against all registered users - if any codes recorded on their phone match with a code in their database, the corresponding user will be contacted by the contact tracing team.
  
  In other words, it is what contact tracers do already - minus having to sit a person down and grill them about where they've been and who they've been with. Except now you don't forget that you also stopped by the shops or grabbed a quick coffee before work because your phone has already recorded a list of people you've been near.
  
  So basically:
  - Not a deal or bargain
  - But something everyone should think about getting anyway.
  
  (for those concerned about privacy, I sure hope you've reviewed all the other apps on your phone too)
  - popsiee on 27/04/2020 - 08:21
    
    +1
    
    A lot of people like you obviously haven’t looked at WilkiLeak documents of what governments say and do are totally different!
  - Dealhunter967671 on 27/04/2020 - 08:22
    
    Have a +1, good write up.
  - Elyxar on 27/04/2020 - 08:36
    
    +1
    
    A five paragraph essay response should tell you this belongs in the forums?
    - Kurohayabusa on 27/04/2020 - 09:00
      
      Completely agree that it is not a deal or bargain and so should belong in the forums.
      But I also think that people need to know what this app is about instead of echoing mistaken beliefs over and over again before it is condemned to the depths of the ozbargain forums where the light of the front page doesn't shine

COVID-19 Tracking App Mega Discussion Thread

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