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Original poster

Government tracking our movements - would you opt in?

135 replies

Sparklfairy · 31/03/2020 14:23

Don't know if this has been posted anywhere, can't see it. The government are looking to launch an app to trap our movements and let us know if we have come into contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

They want/need 50% of us to sign up in order for it to be effective. Would you opt in?

news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-govt-set-to-release-contact-tracking-app-which-detects-nearby-virus-carriers-11966243

OP posts:
itsgettingweird · 31/03/2020 18:43

I thinks it's more that those high numbers of us who are following the guidelines know where we've been and who we've been in contact with.

If they released figures in local areas and more detailed public information they wouldn't need to track us.

Reginabambina · 31/03/2020 18:47

I don’t go anywhere interesting most of the time and would opt in if it meant we could end the lockdown. Data on my movements isn’t more important to me than other people’s livelihoods.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 31/03/2020 18:51

(Sky are) launching the app. It's opt in, not opt out so not compulsory

The organ donor register comes to mind, which was also opt in and is now changing completely. As it happens I have some sympathy with this one, but it's another illustration of what the state can take upon itself if it chooses

For me, the key point to remember is that if you give out powers beyond the absolute minimum needed, they will always, always be abused

Holothane · 31/03/2020 18:52

No chance. We yard staying home following the guidelines that’s enough for us.

Original poster
Sparklfairy · 31/03/2020 19:06

As a PP mentioned about organ donation, that crossed my mind too.

I remember my French teacher telling me they didn't have the same problem of organ shortages as in the UK as their system was opt out, rather than opt in. Not sure how true that is/was but did make me think at the time.

Now organ donation here has changed to opt out, how many people didn't feel strongly enough either way to opt in, but don't feel strongly enough either to opt out when the system changed?

If it was opt out with this app, there is a higher chance of uproar I think. But a lot of people just couldn't be bothered to actually actively opt out so the 'take up' would be higher. Do you feel strongly enough about your privacy that you would actually take the time to opt out?

OP posts:
MrsSnitchnose · 31/03/2020 19:10

Do you feel strongly enough about your privacy that you would actually take the time to opt out?

Yes I do

Original poster
Sparklfairy · 31/03/2020 19:16

I probably do as well tbh @MrsSnitchnose. But I really only became an organ donor as it was a simple tick box on the form when I registered for a new doctor's surgery! I may never have actually gone to the 'effort' of signing up separately otherwise.

OP posts:
YangShanPo · 31/03/2020 19:18

Who would have thought we would be in a lock down last year. Who would think the government might misuse their tracking app? Or the next government as we move into an uncertain future.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 31/03/2020 19:18

Do you feel strongly enough about your privacy that you would actually take the time to opt out?

I most certainly do

It was me who mentioned the organ register, and FWIW the changes don't affect me personally as I'm registered anyway, but the point is this was my free choice

The real irony is that they're now flip-flopping over testing as apparently they "can't get the chemicals" or something ... but somehow I doubt they'll pause a tasty little idea like tracking Hmm

Suniscomingout · 31/03/2020 19:19

Dedinitely not. This is a very slippery slope towards constant monitoring and tracking, using the "it's for your safety" excuse.

How would it "save lots of lives "?

MrsSnitchnose · 31/03/2020 19:21

@Sparklfairy I opted out of that too

lljkk · 31/03/2020 19:23

I'll sign up.
the catch is I forget to turn my phone on.
But I'll sign up, sure.

Suniscomingout · 31/03/2020 19:26

It's not about whether you go anywhere "interesting" or if you've something to hide, or about the fact that smart phones already track us (if you let it).

Think about the long term implications. What else could this be used for?

Suniscomingout · 31/03/2020 19:28

Puzzledandpissedoff

Do you feel strongly enough about your privacy that you would actually take the time to opt out?

I am not so busy I can't take the time to fill in an opt out form!

YangShanPo · 31/03/2020 19:29

I think the reason a lot of people don't opt out of the organ donation is because they don't mind donating but couldn't be bothered to opt in.
I mean is it more likely they will tell you when you've been near someone with CV many of whom will never be tested until its too late, or to find out if you are breaking the lockdown rules.

Suniscomingout · 31/03/2020 19:29

I'll sign up.
the catch is I forget to turn my phone on.
But I'll sign up, sure.
It's not that easy. If you do that in Taiwan the police come to find you within 15 minutes.

CatBatCat · 31/03/2020 19:32

They already are.

safariboot · 31/03/2020 19:35

Maybe.

As mentioned, our phones are already tracked. Police have the technical ability and legal power to access this information in certain cases. And GCHQ do whatever they want.

itsgettingweird · 31/03/2020 19:35

I registered as an organ donor on my 16th birthday because it's always something I knew I would do.

I don't mind the opt out that's been brought now but then again I agree with donation so guess it sways my opinion.

I do not believe if we're taken for quarantine we'd be treated well at all. They can't even get PPE for the wonderful frontline staff facing this daily. Supermarkets can't cope with demand. People are waiting hours for ambulances for CV and normal everyday health emergencies.

I would imagine quarantine would be an old run down hotel with poor room standards in the middle of nowhere and no care.

They need to trust the British public to self isolate properly. If they want quarantine for 14 days then tell people to self isolate for that time.

Have the police and authorities deal with those who aren't following the rules. Eg track and monitor households with confirmed cases.

Katjolo · 31/03/2020 19:37

No

NewChapter11 · 31/03/2020 19:42

A government that can can only rack up 5,000 tests weekly when Germany is carrying out 500,000 doesn't deserve to track it's citizens. They are incompetent and untrustworthy.

UnshakenNeedsStirring · 31/03/2020 19:48

Orwellian little England. Big NOPE from me

tempestterra · 31/03/2020 19:59

The problem with this though, is they are not testing community cases. So it's a pointless exercise. Potentially you are isolating people who already have had and are ? Immune to CV-19. We need to be getting on and using the antibody test. NHS staff and front line staff first and gradually role it out to the wider community.

Bananabixfloof · 31/03/2020 20:02

Do you feel strongly enough about your privacy that you would actually take the time to opt out

I sure do. God I've opted out of the NHS spine, cos I worked on it and I know all the big holes in the system. Between that and my stalker ex I'm signing up to nothing, and opting out where I can.
I read all the tiny legalese on the very few apps I have, I opt out of sharing anything where possible. I had to allow windows access to some stuff yesterday so i could open a letter received by email. I have uninstalled windows now.
Call me paranoid I dont care. 🙋‍♀️

mumtumdocare · 31/03/2020 20:03

1000% no. It's not the test that worries me but beyond that... who's to say that information will be removed completely and they will not continue to monitor the movements of the public? No thanks.