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.

Related links:

Health.gov.au - General information
Coronavirus Australia - Apple App
Coronavirus Australia - Android App
COVIDsafe Contact Tracing app for Apple
COVIDSafe Contact Tracing app for Android

Threads:

COVID-19 Megathread

Wearing Masks -Wearing Masks 2 - Shops with Masks
Lockdown Activities - Lockdown Tips & Tricks - Lockdown Deals - Lockdown - Entertaining Kids - Shopping List -
Hand Sanitiser - Expired Hand Sanitisers - Cheap Sanitiser
Reporting Price Gougers - Punishing Price Gougers - Retailers & Empty Shelves - Retailers & Empty Shelves 2 - Infected Goods from China - Raising EFTPOS Limits - Amazon US Warehouse Only Re-stocking Medical & Staples - Reselling Lysol Wipes
AMA with a Doctor - Parcel Delays - Buying/Selling Home - - Gym - House Inspections - Private Health Insurance - Energy Providers
Overseas Travel - Singapore Airport Closed - QLD Border Closed - Flying to Closed Country - Flying to NZ - Flying to Tasmania
Hotels.com Refund - 3rd Party OTA Refunds - BYOJet, Aunt Betty Changes/Refunds - Groupon Refund - Travel Insurance - Travel Insurance 2
Schools/Universities - Keeping Kids at Home - Keeping Kids at Home 2
Your Job - Work from Home Companies - Pay Cut - Qantas Staff - Tips to Protecting Yourself (Financially)

Other:

OzBargain's Guide to Self Isolation (Deals & More)
Deals for Healthcare Workers

Mod: Original Description:

… for a 'good cause'?

The Federal Government believes restrictions on the community could be eased in the months ahead if there's more testing, greater surveillance of those infected by the coronavirus and much faster tracing of those they've had contact with.

It is developing a mobile phone app with the private sector to help monitor Australians' daily interactions. The app will use the user's GPS to do so.

Edit : This is how the app will work according to the Government Services Minister :

When you download it, you will be reuquired to enter:

  • your name
  • your age range
  • your postcode
  • your phone number

He said when people were within 1.5 metres for 15 minutes, the app via Bluetooth, would record the other person's name and phone number.

"It would stay securely encrypted on your phone," Mr Robert said.
"If I was confirmed positive, my data goes up to a central data store, only to state health officials, no-one else, and then they could rapidly call anyone I had been in close contact with."

Poll Options

  • 148
    Yes.Why?
  • 251
    No. Why?
  • 2
    Other
Mobile COVID-19

Comments

        • burningrage on 27/04/2020 - 10:26

          I noted that you can use fake names but your mobile phone number is real. So it will be just a matter of matching mobile phone number to the database which the Govt has already collected say for example, prepaid mobile where you actually have to fill in the form before activating the service.

    • Bryanalves on 27/04/2020 - 08:35
      Merged from Are You Downloading the Coronavirus App?

      The Coronavirus app has been released. Are people here going to download it?

      I heard some people are concerned while others are really excited/promoting it.

      I see the news and everyone says they are going to get it but i feel this is one of those things that if you publicly/social media say you will not get it you will get destroyed on facebook/twitter sort of like the same sex marriage voting that we had.

      So was to see everyone's honest views on this.

      • TheBilly on 27/04/2020 - 08:43
        +2

        No

        I think practicing social distancing and personal hygiene is sufficient for me

        • blehgg on 27/04/2020 - 11:08

          What are you going to do when the restrictions come down?

          We're probably never gonna eliminate it (maybe when a vaccine comes or it might never come).

          Should the government introduce restrictions again when cases spike because someone forgot they went to bunnings a week and half ago and infected 10 people? which in turn infected 100 etc etc? With no way to properly contact trace or contact people?

          Should we stick to the old method? - "If you were at bunnings on the 15/April/2020 or 16/April/2020 - we think between the hours of 11ish and 3ish?" - you should probably stay at home. Not sure if you were in contact - maybe…"

          This won't catch all the cases obviously… it should help right?

      • IceCreamBandit on 27/04/2020 - 08:44
        +4

        How many polls and posts do we need about the same thing?
        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/533627

        • afoveht on 27/04/2020 - 08:45
          +12

          Perhaps start a poll to find out?

      • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 08:56
        +5

        Did you really check the box promising this topic hadn't been asked before?

    • burningrage on 27/04/2020 - 08:52
      +3

      No thank you. My belief is that if we relent on this, then Govts will have a precedent/template of which how much privacy they can chink away in the future without costing them votes.

      In other words, slippery slope.

    • iforgotmysocks on 27/04/2020 - 08:54
      +2

      No, I've been putting bleach in my coffee every morning so I'm immune anyway.

      • Kiwiboy86 on 27/04/2020 - 08:55

        Heard Lysol was the most effective, can confirm?

      • ThithLord on 27/04/2020 - 09:34
        +1

        Idiot.

        You need to inject it

    • Teller on 27/04/2020 - 08:56
      -1

      This App will have limited data (Testing areas only)

      in non and testing areas
      This App will not alert people that they have been in contact with someone who is infected, if that person has not been tested , obvious there is no data , and the spread of the corona virus will continue

      This app will not alert people that they are in a non testing area, which means the app will be ineffective

      • Krankite on 27/04/2020 - 10:18
        -1

        The app is to improve contact tracing, it has been made as unobjectionable as possible and yet people still complain about it. There are lots of things that this app could do but doesn't they have kept it a simple as possible. They don't even object to the fact that I have registered that Scott Morrison lives in SE Qld.

    • Lasewun on 27/04/2020 - 09:15
      +5

      I made this account just so I could comment.

      To ANYONE concerned about privacy. Please read this before making your mind.
      https://twitter.com/matthewrdev/status/1254336105203200000

      The app has been decompiled and NO REDFLAGS were found. If you are worried about someone else having your personal data I would be more worried about Google or Apple.

      • verio on 27/04/2020 - 09:21
        +1

        Except for the fact that it clearly says on the first launch that it will send your registration data to "a highly secure server". With no real reason for that.

        • Lasewun on 27/04/2020 - 09:27
          +2

          Yes it will send a Unique ID based on your Bluetooth MAC, age group eg 21-29, and your postcode.
          They most likely gain this information to see the trends of adoption (installation).

          I work in IT. I use services such as Google, whilst there is the concern of privacy invasion, other companies have more information on me that I am comfortable with.

          If your argument is what if they're hacked or I'm hacked. Okay, you have my mobile and age group. Which are ALREADY PUBLIC.

        • Kurohayabusa on 27/04/2020 - 09:29
          +5

          Most of the internet runs off commercial servers - either AWS, Google, Facebook or other providers. These commercial servers are used because they are reliabile, easily expandable, can cope with high volumes of traffic and are pretty well secured. Certainly a lot better secured than what our government can whip up independently. This is because a lot of services use these services, like how Netflix runs on AWS servers. You literally hand over your credit card details to these people expecting them to be safe, so they invest a lot of time and resources into making sure they are.

          • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 09:33
            +1

            @Kurohayabusa: And did AWS cower to US political pressure outside US borders during the Wikileaks saga?

            • Kurohayabusa on 27/04/2020 - 09:42
              +4

              @[Deactivated]: From my (limited) understanding AWS has standards and user agreements that wikileaks breached. Similar to how youtube hosts whatever people upload, only to take them down later when licensing companies ask them to.
              I'm not sure what pressure (political or otherwise) you are expecting anyone to put on AWS to hunt down the mobile phone numbers of Aussies and a list of generated ID codes but I'm sure there are other easier ways to get that info.

      • jimdotpud on 27/04/2020 - 09:24
        -2

        no Red Flags except

        offshore data storage

      • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 09:39

        No redflags? How many versions have been released to the public so far?

      • brendanm on 27/04/2020 - 10:26

        Based government shill.

      • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 12:46

        ooo some random on twitter, I'm a believer!

    • ESEMCE on 27/04/2020 - 09:25
      +4

      Where's the

      Yes, it is a good initiative for public health and while I am concerned about my privacy, I am reassured by analysis of the code that the app is sufficiently private.

      option?

      • Kiwiboy86 on 27/04/2020 - 09:30
        +1

        I would have thought option 1, "Yes, it is a good initiative for public health and I am not concerned about my privacy", would have covered it? Apologies if it was not clear enough.

        • Krankite on 27/04/2020 - 10:21
          +2

          I would have selected the proposed option but went with option 2 instead.

          I am concerned about my privacy but are also confident in this app.

    • jimbobaus on 27/04/2020 - 09:41
      +1

      wonder how many people who are against it have Twitter or Facebook? Both companies have agreed to share personal and location data with the Government anyways.

    • Scantu on 27/04/2020 - 09:45

      Will be installing it as soon as it is open sourced.

    • Snake 4 on 27/04/2020 - 09:46
      +5

      Can't believe so much talk about privacy with the app when most of you will have app overload on your phones.

      Don't forget Facebook, Google, Cashback etc sharing and storing and sharing everything about you.

      • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 09:52
        +6

        How many fines for eating pizza have those organisations issued?

        • burningrage on 27/04/2020 - 10:09

          Perfect Reply!!!

        • jimbobaus on 27/04/2020 - 11:52

          given Facebook actually shares more data than this APP will

    • Bargain80 on 27/04/2020 - 10:11
      +4

      sending personal info to apple, google, facebook, online competition, and pretty much everything on internet: yes
      sending limited personal info to government for greater good: Big NO.

      such irony

    • solidsnek on 27/04/2020 - 10:26

      Release the source code then I will consider downloading it.

      • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 11:53

        In some sense the fact that they haven't done any serious obscurity is better, people can easily decompile what is actually distributed and see what they think. Yes releasing the source code would also be great to remove this step.

    • crashloaded on 27/04/2020 - 10:29
      +1

      Ive read a statement from a dev that did a test and when iOS is locked the app doesn't function. So the only way for the app to work on iOS is to have your phone constantly unlocked with the screen on.

      • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 11:23

        And in the foreground and not taking a call or reading messages. They should have used Amiibo, dammit.

    • No Username on 27/04/2020 - 10:37
      -1

      If you guys have apps such as WeChat, TikTok, Using Google Services or have been downloading random apps from the store then you are not concerned about your privacy.
      Downloading this app is no different to installing WeChat. In fact, WeChat probably knows more about you then the government does.

      • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 11:27

        "Downloading this app is no different to installing WeChat."

        Can WeChat fine you $60,000 for misuse? Fine you more than $1000 for not social distancing? Do tell!

        • No Username on 27/04/2020 - 11:47

          First of all, what is $60,000 for misuse? and Don't tell me you are one of those people who are not social distancing atm. You deserve to get a $1000 fine for violating it.

          • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 11:52

            @No Username: Have you read the legislation?

            • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 12:47

              @[Deactivated]: there is no legislation to read.

              • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 12:53
                +1

                @[Deactivated]: Was there a jedi hand wave with that?

                • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 15:48
                  +1

                  @[Deactivated]: I find your lack of faith disturbing

  • ihbh on 27/04/2020 - 10:03
    Merged from Have/Will or Won't Download COVIDSafe App

    We downloaded the app last night. What have you chosen to do/are you considering? Hopes, concerns, etc.?

    • Bargain80 on 27/04/2020 - 10:04
      -1

      yes?

      • blehgg on 27/04/2020 - 11:30
        -1

        YES - BUT PRIVACY!!!!!!!

        I'VE TOLD EVERYONE THIS IS SLIPPERY SLOPE ABOUT PRIVACY!

        I DONT TRUST THE GOV AS FAR AS I COULD THROW THEM EXCEPT WHEN I ENROL FOR VOTING, LICENSE DETAILS, CENTRELINK PAYMENTS, DOING MY TAXES, SCHOOLS

        MAYBE GOOGLE ACCOUNTS, OZBARGAIN COMPETITIONS, POSTING ON INSTAGRAM, USING GOOGLE MAPS, ORDERING TAKEAWAY FROM THE LOCAL FISH N CHIP PLACE (I KNOW THESE GUYS - THEY GOOD PEOPLES)

        • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 11:34
          +1

          Name a single fine all the other organisations have ever issued.

          • blehgg on 27/04/2020 - 11:35
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: Ozbargain - penalty box

            QLD Transport - speeding fine

            Your disgruntle Car Hire employee stealing your IDs to promote identity theft to make a quick buck.

          • jimbobaus on 27/04/2020 - 11:53
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: Why does the fact fines are being issued matter?
            This app will not be used to penalise anyone and that is made clear in the apps conditions.
            So if you were fined based on the app you would have grounds to appeal.

            Can not scream about privacy then happily log into facebook etc
            Google, Facebook, Twitter etc have all agreed to share data with the Government and this is regardless of your privacy settings on their respective apps.

            • blehgg on 27/04/2020 - 12:09

              @jimbobaus: I think Frugal Rock is inferring that not having the APP will result in fines?

              or that it's some how tracking users (which it's source code states that it doesn't) and then result in unjustified fines for breaking isolation when you get sick?

              or that the app can magically detect if you are not socially distancing and magic fine you $1000….

              • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 12:22
                +1

                @blehgg: You have a severely overactive imagination.

                Yes or no. Can this app 'technically' be used to locate people who have relocated to secondary homes? Of course it can.

                • blehgg on 27/04/2020 - 12:23

                  @[Deactivated]: no the app cant… read the source…

                  Can your device already do that without this app… yes

                  • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 12:24

                    @blehgg: Shows how little you know. There just has to be a beacon on main entry roads. You are wrong. There is no technical limitation on checking postcodes with this app.

                    • blehgg on 27/04/2020 - 12:28

                      @[Deactivated]: In all seriousness, please - enlighten me - since I'm wrong.

                      1) And which line, in which file, in the source code, is currently collecting your geolocation data?

                      2) Please tell me how your phone can't already be used to locate you?

                      There is no technical limitation on checking postcodes with this app.

                      This is collected on registration via an inputfield - feel free to use any postcode you like and see if you get rejected…

                      • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 12:34

                        @blehgg: 1) Which repository?

                        2) Airplane mode.

                        PS checking postcodes on entry to townships etc.

                        • blehgg on 27/04/2020 - 12:37

                          @[Deactivated]: 1) Any version of the APK - you can choose any of them. I'll give you 11 version right now to find any shred of evidence.

                          2) lol….. airplane mode ~ good one - "when you don't have a phone".

                          Good chat frugal

                          • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 12:39

                            @blehgg: Are you suggesting source code is in the APK?

                            • blehgg on 27/04/2020 - 12:40

                              @[Deactivated]: the only version of the source you can trust is the version you install + the version you unpack yourself…

                              if the gov gave you the source, say in GITHUB - are you gonna trust it?

                              • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 12:41

                                @blehgg: You do not install source. What are you on about? You don't even realise it's compiled?

                                • blehgg on 27/04/2020 - 12:43

                                  @[Deactivated]: You install the package you're given.

                                  Correct ~ but there is no "released" source right now.

                                  But how do you think people have gotten the source already?

                                  Are you suggesting source code is in the APK?

                                  yes…. common man / lady…

                                  • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 12:49

                                    @blehgg: Reverse compilation. Pretty meaningless saying the client is innocent if the server is malicious. RFID is benign enough but can be used for tracking by coordinating stations. BT is even easier. They are advertised as features.

                                    • blehgg on 27/04/2020 - 12:56

                                      @[Deactivated]: Nothing will be enough for you or many of the people on here.

                                      To each their own - the source is there.

                                      Your phone already does much more than being advertised via the app.

                                      • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 12:57

                                        @blehgg: I choose Android version 10! Let me look! Where is it? Can you smell the openness?

    • TheBilly on 27/04/2020 - 10:05

      No

    • brendanm on 27/04/2020 - 10:15

      I've chosen to reply in one of the other 53 threads about this app.

    • GangGang on 27/04/2020 - 10:29
      +1

      Again?

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 27/04/2020 - 15:03

      Waiting to see what happens re legislation when Fed Parliament sits.

  • Teller on 27/04/2020 - 11:10
    +1

    What should be the main concern for people , the way thisApp is be called Safe when there is no evidence to suggest it will be

    This app is no different to a trial app (working in a similar way to find a vaccine - needs to be tested) it is not reliable to be called safe

    if only 400,000 Australians been tested for corona virus and already over 1 million Australians dowloaded

    The data in the App is already redundant , for over 930,000 Australians

    • blehgg on 27/04/2020 - 11:22
      +1

      The App is already redundant

      I'd like to stay that way… through improved contact tracing.

      When restriction's come down, I'd like a way to reduce the spread of COVID "IF" it flares up again. I don't trust Frank to remember everywhere he's gone in the last two weeks. (You are required to disclose this during manual Contact Tracing if you are found positive). This just takes the guess work out of who you may have been in contact with.

      This is about mitigation - no elimination - so the country can open up with a safety net to contact trace better and keep the country open.

      • Dont Care on 27/04/2020 - 13:29
        +1

        Do you remember what you had for dinner last night? So how will you remember everything you've done in the past two weeks…

  • DingoBilly on 27/04/2020 - 11:54
    +7

    Having worked in government with access to national databases of people's names, addresses, mobiles etc., I think people here are crazy paranoid.

    We are often extremely restricted with what we can do/see, to the point where it's a real struggle to actually utilise the data effectively. We also spend months working on security and making sure everything is used by the right people to the point where again - researchers and others are often frustrated they can't access the data as effectively as possible -> Things like encrypted dates of birth etc.

    I for one just want this to be over as quickly as possible. Would hope others would want the same as it sucks for many people, and businesses are really badly affected.

    • Iggemo on 27/04/2020 - 16:15
      +2

      I think this government - and i mean federal - is the problem, though. Remember how some unemployed guy questioned a Minister on QandA and the next day his private information was "leaked" to all the major newspapers? There was similarly a woman who was on a disability pension a couple years back who dared write something about robodebt on facebook and lo and behold suddenly her private information was also "leaked" to the Murdoch press.

      This government has a proven track record under Dutton and others of personally going after any citizenry who dares criticise them in any way, shape or form. Now, if we didn't have this particular assortment of Ministers it might be another story but i think you would be absolutely crazy to trust Dutton and co.

      • Domingo on 27/04/2020 - 16:32

        Have you watched the netflix documentary Don't F**k With Cats: Hunting An Internet Killer?

        It shows how a group of people with generally widely available public information track people down. Including in some scenarios, the wrong people.

  • jaimex2 on 27/04/2020 - 12:38

    I'll install it if they promise to remove restrictions in writing.

    • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 15:53

      I'll install it if all ministers & agency heads promise to quit and pay back any monies (including pensions) that they have made if the data is ever used for anything other then its stated purpose. (That includes if the data is hacked).

      I.E. if they have a significant financial interest in it being used properly.

  • skid on 27/04/2020 - 12:39

    Would the poll results change if the app acted like a pass?

    i.e. Would you install the app if it serves as a valid excuse for avoiding a fine?

  • Dont Care on 27/04/2020 - 13:10
    +5

    The Police have your mobile number and address anyway so please quit crying about how this app will destroy your tightly held privacy.

    • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 13:16
      -1

      Have you been watching Chuck Norris infomercials again? MIA4 could be Contact Tracing. Chuck would remember to keep the app in the foreground, I'm sure.

      • koplik8 on 27/04/2020 - 14:36
        +1

        Well everyone gives there info away for free on FB lol

    • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 16:49

      The same police who fined a couple for not following the lockdown rules because they posted some old holiday pics on social media ?? These fines can only be revoked by the police commissioner, not the courts, not the pollies.

      No probs with the ideals of the app, just the way its been implemented.

  • Iggemo on 27/04/2020 - 16:09

    Didn't someone post a "deal" about the coronavirus app this morning? I wanted to read the thread but it was deleted??

  • Rescue 26 on 27/04/2020 - 16:23

    Disappointing (but not surprising) to see so many selfish, short sighted, ignorant people. Don't worry you'll have plenty of time to take selfies and post more boring intimate details about your daily life on Facebook ('cos my privacy is SO important!) when you're unemployed and shut up in your little flat for the rest of the year.

    • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 16:44
      +2

      Maybe if you read the comments, you wouldn't be so ignorant? But I suppose you'll be safe up there on your high horse.

      Install the app, I haven't seen too many comments telling people they shouldn't install it (just that they won't be installing it), but there's lots criticising people who won't.

    • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 17:01

      Disappointment stems from flawed expectations. Yoda would have seen this one coming.

  • jackinyourbox on 27/04/2020 - 17:16
    +3

    Everyone should download and use it. We need as much take up as possible to make it most effective.

    The government should just enforce the usage of the app.

    This app can save lives which is more important than privacy concerns.

    • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2020 - 17:27
      +2

      Is Singapore the example of it saving lives?

      • jackinyourbox on 27/04/2020 - 18:09
        +1

        I don’t know about Singapore, however I gather the app can track close contact with others and alerts you of possible infection.

        A decent person would then go get a checkup and be extra cautious to not infect others when the app warned you of that possible infection.

        Staying away from others when you are high risk reduces infection risk to others so that could save lives!

        Again, saving a life is far more important than my personal information. I feel if everyone used the app, we could end out in a far better position than not using it.

        • burningrage on 28/04/2020 - 17:29
          +1

          Not in Victoria. You can download the app, have zero cases for weeks, and he said it himself, he won't take off Stage 3 restriction.

          Dan is hell bent on fining enough people to pay for his upcoming recession lol!

          • ssquid on 28/04/2020 - 17:36
            +2

            @burningrage: On the bright side, with everyone locked up at home the chances of his wife running over another cyclist are greatly reduced.

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