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Will you sign up for the NHS contact tracing app?

221 replies

Runningfar · 01/05/2020 17:24

I can't see any reason why I wouldn't. Has anyone got any concerns about it?

OP posts:
bettybeans · 02/05/2020 03:37

I will. If it's sensibly designed and doesn't ask me ridiculously unnecessary questions about gender or identity. If we can stick to facts and sex, I'm in.

BelfastNonBlonde · 02/05/2020 03:51

I don’t know anything about it - but I doubt it. Sounds a bit creepy.

Fortheloveofscience · 02/05/2020 05:19

Yes, definitely.

The word "tracker" is misleading - it's not tracking your location, it's keeping a record of your Bluetooth pinging off other devices.

Without the ability to do this sort of tracking, we're destined for lockdown until a vaccine or costing thousands of lives. How come people are so comfortable having their lives dictated by the lockdown rules, but the idea of this is preposterous?

Having real-time data on people testing positive and how many people they are "connected" to will also be hugely beneficial in order to learn more about the behavior of this virus and be able to model it more accurately. Currently the best scientists can do is very crude modeling because there just isn't the data available to fit anything more sophisticated. This would totally change if there was a picture building of how it actually spreads. People are keen to follow "the science", while simultaneously tying the scientists' hands behind their backs.

How many of you who say "definitely not" to this also merrily click "agree" to the terms and conditions when downloading other apps? Your average app stores as much data as it can get away with yet this most don't even consider it.

However, I do hope that they make the code open-source. I trust the UK's techies to bug-check and look for unexpected code far more than I'd trust the government's assurances that this is safe.

Finally, we are genuinely being monitored pretty much all the time. Any time you drive your car. Any time you use a bank card. Your computer watches your internet browsing and stores SO much data. I really do fail to see why people are suddenly drawing the line at contact tracing.

IncrediblySadToo · 02/05/2020 06:30

I'd be happier about it if they were using the Apple/Google App other Govts are using

I'm not happy about the people involved

I want to know if it's 'tested' people or just Maud feeling a bit off colour that triggers the warning

Then again I downloaded the c-19 App that you report to everyday and tbh I know Jack shit about what thst can trace 🤷🏻‍♀️

SuperCraft · 02/05/2020 06:47

I had read somewhere about people being able to self report symptoms on there. Does anyone know if this is true? That concerns me, so if I've been near someone's phone who then goes on the app to say they've got symptoms, will I then be notified and told to self isolate? Or will it only be for confirmed positive cases?

I think the premise of the app is a great idea, I would just need more information on how exactly it works before I decided to download it.

MarginalGain · 02/05/2020 06:53

I was speaking to a colleague in China in early March who was talking to me about the contact tracing apps used over there and I thought it was the kind of wild thing that could only happen under an authoritarian government.

Two months later I’m like “yeah sure thing why not?”

It's funny how things change!

Absolutely not.

hopefulhalf · 02/05/2020 07:06

I realise governments don't collect this data. But this is exceptional circumstances.

Have you seen the transport graphs at the daily briefings? How do you think they get their date ?

RingtheBells · 02/05/2020 07:08

No

Parker231 · 02/05/2020 07:16

Definitely yes. I’ve no issue with the App knowing where I am and when. I’ve nothing to hide. It’s needed for contact tracing. We need it to move on from the lockdown state we are now living.

PhilCornwall1 · 02/05/2020 07:19

I'd want to know exactly how secure the application was and you'd never really know unless you see the source code to it. That in itself introduces security issues anyway.

I won't be installing it and to be honest, how accurate will it be?

RingtheBells · 02/05/2020 07:25

There was another thread about this and apparently you can't lock your phone when it is running or use the apps, it has to be always open, also uses battery, they would need to sort all this out or people will just stop using it

Parker231 · 02/05/2020 07:29

will trigger an anonymous alert to those other app users with whom you came into significant contact over the previous few days.

The app will help you and help others. The app will advise you what action to take if you have been close to someone who has become symptomatic – including advising you to self-isolate if necessary.

For those saying no, do you plan on staying in lockdown until a vaccine is developed or alternatively go back to work, normal activities, catch COVID and risk infecting others who wouldn’t know about it.

PhilCornwall1 · 02/05/2020 07:29

@RingtheBells how's that known if the app hasn't been released yet?

PhilCornwall1 · 02/05/2020 07:31

For those saying no, do you plan on staying in lockdown until a vaccine is developed or alternatively go back to work, normal activities, catch COVID and risk infecting others who wouldn’t know about it.

What about people who don't have a smartphone?

RingtheBells · 02/05/2020 07:37

PhilCornwall1
It was on this thread

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/3893914-Will-you-download-the-app

I wouldn't put anything on my phone which might compromise it's security

Kingjarvis · 02/05/2020 07:41

I’ll get it because I’m curious. I give no fucks about tracking. I’m all for it anyway. If something happens to me, I want people to know where I am!

Abbccc · 02/05/2020 07:49

It's not about whether you go "anywhere interesting"Hmm. It's about letting the government and large commercial businesses map your every move and control the population. Think about what this kind of app can be used for after the coronavirus emergency. You might be able to delete this one but many people will have got used to being tracked and having their movements restricted by then and are likely to accept new types of control apps.

In Taiwan (I think) people who don't have smart phones were given bracelets imstead. If you take it off/don't answer when contacted the police will come and find you.

MarginalGain · 02/05/2020 07:50

In Taiwan (I think) people who don't have smart phones were given bracelets imstead. If you take it off/don't answer when contacted the police will come and find you.

Sounds great.

PhilCornwall1 · 02/05/2020 08:01

In Taiwan (I think) people who don't have smart phones were given bracelets imstead. If you take it off/don't answer when contacted the police will come and find you.

I guess we'll have to wear them on our ankles then. Oh wait a minute... 🤔

midgebabe · 02/05/2020 08:06

The source code will be released

It will not be possible to leave something behind on your phone

Human rights organisations are watching closely

Anyone who carries a mobile phone,even with location tracking turned of, is effectively trusting the phone companies , governments and the network equipment vendors not to make use of the location information that is constantly being collected , because that's how the network knows where your phone is to send a message to it.

You are trusting the phone companies not to use it, but in principle they could tell your home and work address, where you normally travel, what shops you use etc etc .

IncrediblySadToo · 02/05/2020 08:10

I would far rather wear the bracelet. I don't mind them physically tracking me or doing the Covid stuff. I just don't want them having access to everything that's on my phone

But no idea how the bracelet could work without an app??

RedRiverShore · 02/05/2020 08:15

If they are going to track you anyway a tag like prisoners wear is probably better than an app on your phone

PhilCornwall1 · 02/05/2020 08:15

The inaccuracy of using a phone is going to be an issue. I don't always remember to take mine with me. I went out to the chemist yesterday and the last thing I thought about was taking my phone, so it wasn't with me. It's just not high on my list of "must haves" in my pocket.

I'm also completely happy with any member of my family taking my phone with them if they can't find theirs.

Those are at least two scenarios where data could be inaccurate.

midgebabe · 02/05/2020 08:20

You will know if you have shared your phone, and if you are in one household, it's all much of a muchness as far as infection goes. Interesting to see if the contact has any kind of time stamp

Yes you might forget, they don't think they need 100% to make a substantial difference to R , as it will be days quicker than reliance on the human contact tracers

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