To find it scary that people have willingly downloaded the track and trace app?

[SunnyThatsMyName]

This all reminds me of the start of some sci-fi/thriller movie.
Why are people so easily giving away their details to this useless government?

My rights have already been severly infringed by the lockdown. I see using the app as a trade off for getting these rights back.

Also, I file tax returns, used the NHS, have an android phone, use social media. They can already get a lot of info if they are so inclined.

I understand peoples worries bit I am wiling to do this. After all its an app on a phone not a chip in my arm.

OP stop acting like you're some kind of spy with something interesting to find out about you, and grow the fuck up

As ii understand it they will be able to track our location at all times and be able to share that data with whoever they like.
This has not been done with the primary motivation of beating coronavirus. There were other applications available which are being used successfully in other countries, that carry out the same function but handle personal data confidentially.
Our government has specifically chosen to create their own app which allows them full access to all our data.
Also by choosing not to use the same app as the rest of Europe they will be unable to track and trace people entering the UK from the EU and vice a versa. This would have had huge benefits but the government has placed value on being able to harvest our data above this.
I don't think it is being suspicious to question their motivations for this, when there was another better application they could have used.

I won't be downloading it. I also can't afford to potentially constantly isolate 14 days.

I expect being unwilling to take part in track and trace through whatever form or being unwilling to isolate may become as socially unacceptable as drink driving Be prepared to risk the lives of others for your own ends

It’s so funny that people (idiots) are worried about this because it’s an APP from the GOVERNMENT which openly admits that it will trace their location, and so won’t get it, thinking they’re being all smart and safe.

Your smartphone already constantly traces your location. Apps such as Facebook and many, many others already have lots of information about you including your location.

Now, if you don’t have a smartphone at all, or any social media, and you’re saying ‘I won’t buy one, then download this app, as I don’t want the government knowing all about me!’ Then absolutely fair enough.

However if the average person isn’t getting it simply for safety reasons then you’re just as much a ‘sheep’ as anyone else, you just think you’re being clever due to a lack of understanding of how your current technology works.

Because I work with the very-abled people who have helped to develop this service and have put a hell of a lot of work into it.

Believe it or not, not everyone wants your data.

.. and I want to know when I've come into to contact with someone and keep my family as well protected as I can.

Dump question bit how do you get the app?

But

Believe it or not, not everyone wants your data.

Exactly this.

As it goes with the app and having looked at the code for both the IOS and Android apps, it doesn't harvest dark secrets from your phone.

Having also installed it, run it and traced what's going out, it'll be really boring for everyone thinking it's taking a tonne of data, it doesn't, it ties up with with the published source code. No location, no personally identifying information.

There would be nothing stopping them from distributing an app and not publishing that code, but it wouldn't be overly difficult to find that out, if you run the app and trace the output.

Sorry OP, it would be the start of some really boring movie.

I don't work with any of the people doing this app or have anything remotely to do with the government or NHS.

@WhatsHappeningCaroleBaskin
Interesting that you should know people who have worked on this app and still not be questioning it. I also know people and I know that there was the opportunity to use the same application that is being used in the rest of Europe. This would have had huge advantages but the government have chosen to develop their own with completely different data protection restrictions. What do the people who you know that are working on it have to say about this?

@NC10101
It doesn't seem like you know much about how this app works at all, or how other applications such as Facebook etc store data but you feel that your in the position to call other people who do idiots.

One of the people I know most vociferously against the app due to privacy concerns checks in in Facebook everywhere they go!

I think the connection someone mentioned earlier with Cummings is Dido Harding, the Chair of the NHS test and trace scheme. She is married to a conservative MP and she is on the board of Cheltenham Racecourse whose festival went ahead in March and was probably responsible for thousands of coronavirus infections - betting companies make up some of the largest donors to the Conservative Party.

Have you actually read up on how it works? Pinging meaningless but unique ‘codes’ to other phones? I just can’t see an issue with it, personally.
If you test positive, your unique code is passed to NHS, they then find all the phones that have received your unique code (presumably, anyone who has spent a period of time in close proximity to you) and ask those people to isolate.

We could always not bother and stay in lockdown though I suppose?

No one has mentioned the app on the daily brief apart from to say it's not ready yet so how are people using it who are not on the Isle of Wight. Surely if it was ready there would be a big fanfare about it on the brief and news. So I shall reserve judgement until then as they could have changed and updated the app if people have worked on it.

it's not ready yet so how are people using it who are not on the Isle of Wight.

Whilst it doesn't show in App Store searches, if you know the URL to it, you can get it. Google Play or Apple App Store.

Does it register if you have been in 2m contact with someone with a confirmed case for more than 10 minutes?

2 metres for 15 minutes

Would it register me and my next door or upstairs neighbour were close together even though there are walls between us?

No, you close the app when you are at home/in your car/etc

Would it alert me if I had been in the supermarket with someone who I probably didn't have direct contact with?

If you were within 2 metres for 15 minutes, yes.

As ii understand it they will be able to track our location at all times and be able to share that data with whoever they like.

I have the app, I have location services switched off on my phone. It does not track your location

No one has mentioned the app on the daily brief apart from to say it's not ready yet so how are people using it who are not on the Isle of Wight

It’s on the App Store for anyone to download. It’s supposed to be only the IW using it at present but loads of people are downloading it who shouldn’t be just yet. It only asks for the first 4 digits of your postcode when you download so anyone can stick an IW postcode in it.

I am on the IW

I use google, really can't complain about anyone having my information really.

Completely agree with you OP.

@PhilCornwall1

Believe it or not, not everyone wants your data.

Exactly this.

As it goes with the app and having looked at the code for both the IOS and Android apps, it doesn't harvest dark secrets from your phone.

Having also installed it, run it and traced what's going out, it'll be really boring for everyone thinking it's taking a tonne of data, it doesn't, it ties up with with the published source code. No location, no personally identifying information.

There would be nothing stopping them from distributing an app and not publishing that code, but it wouldn't be overly difficult to find that out, if you run the app and trace the output.

Sorry OP, it would be the start of some really boring movie.

I don't work with any of the people doing this app or have anything remotely to do with the government or NHS.

The app requires location permissions. This might be a by-product of the Bluetooth service (I believe I've seen something along those lines, but I'm not entirely sure).

The idea that they aren't harvesting PII is disingenuous though. People who are symptomatic or have been in contact with someone symptomatic will be asked to register their details. Are you saying that you don't think that this is going to be connected to whatever data they're using to identify individual app users?

I think that having a bit of skepticism about the government's desire to track the population is healthy. I'll wait to see what this app does when it's widely available and I'll be keeping an eye on the effects of any updates.

Most people aren't going to bother. And yes, organisations do want your data, even when they don't need it. Oftentimes, they will harvest it and keep it on case it becomes useful in some unforeseen way in the future. I've been involved in data analytics for the past 7 years so I've engaged in this myself. This is part of the reason GDPR exists.

I will not be loading it. Even if those I don't trust in the government resign or are sacked.

I will answer if asked whether I have been with anyone outside the household for more than 15 minutes (no-one since March 21st in my case).

Of the friends I’ve spoken to about this, they are all going to use the app when it’s released. Anything which helps control the virus and helps us return to a more normal life. For me it’s not a difficult decision, DH is a doctor and has seen what happens to COVID patients.

Personally I think those who refuse to use the app are selfish. But then if you would prefer to remain at home, isolated, that’s your choice.

I'll be downloading it. Was shocked when a friend told me that DCs sister owned the company, so did a min of digging.

fullfact.org/online/not-dominic-cummings-sister/

I’m one for data privacy. Big advocate.

In this instance, during this time, happy to download the app and once this danger has passed, I’ll delete it. Much like I turn on and off location services in my phone now when I’m checking in someplace in Facebook. However. The tracks and tracks is actually going to do something good with my data as opposed the Facebook, instagram etc selling it.

@MereDintofPandiculation

Vulnerable people need to isolate. The rest of us need to get on with it. No, the rest of us need to do what we can to reduce the overall risk so that the vulnerable can come out of house arrest, even if only to a limited extent.

You're restoring my faith in humanity & common sense