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Original poster

NHS APP fuckery

22 replies

whatthebloodyhellfire · 22/10/2021 14:27

Ive just had to video record my self for identification on the app repeating four numbers they have sent me. Is this normal? this was just so I could access my covid pass.

OP posts:

ChequerBoard · 22/10/2021 14:28

Yes.

It's called security.

BlueberrySugar · 22/10/2021 14:28

I've never had to do this. Not to say this isn't normal but sounds a bit odd!

BikeRunSki · 22/10/2021 14:28

Yes

AdoraBell · 22/10/2021 14:30

I’m sure I had too but it was months ago so I can’t really remember as it wasn’t too irritating for me.

Original poster

whatthebloodyhellfire · 22/10/2021 14:31

@ChequerBoard

Yes.

It's called security.

My NHS number should be enough, or the copy of my passport/driving licence.

You don't even had that kind of security when applying for a passport.

I think its a bit odd and extreme tbh, I cant find anything that says what actually happens to the videos when its passed 'security'

OP posts:

ChequerBoard · 22/10/2021 14:33

No it's not extreme, it's proving you are you you say you are before giving you first time access to aspects of your medical records.

Imagine the outcry if someone accessed someone else's records using their driving licence or passport as 'proof'.

It's a once only process. After they have validated your application it's up to you to keep your password secure.

BikeRunSki · 22/10/2021 14:33

You don't even had that kind of security when applying for a passport.

When you apply for a passport though, your ID has to countersigned by someone extremely traceable with a lot to lose professionally through lying though.

Changethetoner · 22/10/2021 14:34

I won't play their game. I deleted the App, when it asked me to allow my phone to take a selfie of me, so some computer could verify if my image matches my driving licence/or passport photo. No way is that happening! I sent off for a paper copy, and got it back within 24hours. Sorted.

ChequerBoard · 22/10/2021 14:38

Jesus, much as the NHS Is not perfect, sometimes they just can't win. Security has to be tight when providing access to medical records.

No your NHS number isn't 'enough' to allow you to access an app where you can see and order medication and book appointments. It's not just for Covid certs.

Use your loaf - imagine how simple it would be to fraudulently request prescribed drugs by pretending to be someone else just by knowing their NHS number!

Original poster

whatthebloodyhellfire · 22/10/2021 14:39

@ChequerBoard

No it's not extreme, it's proving you are you you say you are before giving you first time access to aspects of your medical records.

Imagine the outcry if someone accessed someone else's records using their driving licence or passport as 'proof'.

It's a once only process. After they have validated your application it's up to you to keep your password secure.

But I had already opted for facial recognition to open the app up. Yet I need to take a video of me talking. And I cant see anything about what they do with the actual video after

OP posts:

ChequerBoard · 22/10/2021 14:42

You can't use facial recognition until after they have validated that you are who you say you are.

The video is checked first to make sure it's you - your account is not active until that is done.

After that you can use facial recognition when you log in

LemonRedwood · 22/10/2021 14:46

DH had to do this for his but I didn't

GoldenBlue · 22/10/2021 14:47

The video is used as a 1 time authentication to confirm that the person setting up the app is the person who the clinical data is about.

Health data is classed as a higher level than other personal data and these hoops are required to ensure that individuals data is not inappropriately accessed.

Imagine a victim of domestic violence having all of their clinical information available to their partner? What if they choose to get contraception against their husbands wishes etc?

Or a member of a religious family and the access abused by a family member.

Or just some thief who got hold of your details and then used it to get more personal details such as appointment times when you will be out of the house etc.

Lots of reasons for robust security and the NHS and other government bodies are held to a higher level of responsibility than other private organisations.

Original poster

whatthebloodyhellfire · 22/10/2021 14:48

@ChequerBoard

Jesus, much as the NHS Is not perfect, sometimes they just can't win. Security has to be tight when providing access to medical records.

No your NHS number isn't 'enough' to allow you to access an app where you can see and order medication and book appointments. It's not just for Covid certs.

Use your loaf - imagine how simple it would be to fraudulently request prescribed drugs by pretending to be someone else just by knowing their NHS number!

How rude.

OP posts:

ChequerBoard · 22/10/2021 14:48

@LemonRedwood

DH had to do this for his but I didn't

For his what?

Are you talking about the NHS App or the NHS Covid-19 app as they are different and one requires a validated NHS Login and one doesn't.

MatildaIThink · 22/10/2021 14:49

@whatthebloodyhellfire

Ive just had to video record my self for identification on the app repeating four numbers they have sent me. Is this normal? this was just so I could access my covid pass.

Yes it is totally normal.

ChequerBoard · 22/10/2021 14:54

@whatthebloodyhellfire you titled this thread 'NHS App fuckery' when what you are describing is totally normal security required for accessing medical data and you think I'm being rude for pointing that out??

stingofthebutterfly · 22/10/2021 20:47

What do people who can't talk do? My daughter wouldn't be able to record herself talking. Does that mean she'd have no access, even if she wanted it?

thewhatsit · 22/10/2021 20:52

Yes. I was a bit taken aback having to do it but amazed that it then somehow identified me and I got access so quickly. Quite clever really. I’ve never had to do anything like that for any other service.

ChequerBoard · 22/10/2021 21:09

@stingofthebutterfly

What do people who can't talk do? My daughter wouldn't be able to record herself talking. Does that mean she'd have no access, even if she wanted it?

British Sign Language (BSL) and written numbers
During the process of proving who you are, you will be asked to record a video and say 4 numbers. This is so we can match your face with your photo I.D. so we know it’s you.
If you are unable to say the 4 numbers out loud you may use British Sign Language, or show the numbers written down on a piece of paper instead.

LemonRedwood · 23/10/2021 00:38

@ChequerBoard

When he registered on the NHS app (not the covid one). Reading the thread, I now imagine it's because he had face recognition enabled somehow but as he's not particularly technologically competent he probably didn't realise he did. I don't use face recognition on my phone for anything, so I'm guessing that's why it was different for each of us.

dangermouseisace · 23/10/2021 01:12

Yeah, we were all doing ours in the office at work

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