Saw this, checked and it's there

[Allinadaystwerk]

Not sure how I feel about having this download on my phone without my permission. How about you?

I don’t take updates because I like to check they work first, but we are forced to update our work phones and it’s on that. But it needs to interface with the non-existent national app.

Also you can turn it off or on.

It concerns me that people own all these devices and don't take a minute to understand how they work. APIs allow apps to connect to them to share data, if the frameworks weren't updated then it couldn't work for anybody. The API is the bit that sends data out, if that's turned off then no app can send information. You can turn off updates on your phone, but then you're open to viruses and malware, not the clever option.

Even with an app installed you could:

1. Leave the phone at home
2. Keep location and Bluetooth turned off (depending on which it's using)
3. Switch off the API and uninstall the app.

Buy an RFID pouch if you are really concerned.

It's been added to my iPhone too. But says I have to download the app in order to switch it on. It's currently turned off.

It's on mine but off x

Jesus, there are so many dim people out there. It’s worrying

Fucking hell people you can take your tinfoil hats off. There's enough people who have posted on here to point out it simply enables you to download a tracing APP if you want to. It makes those apps work if you ever do download them. You don't even need to read the sodding small print. Now put down all sharp objects, leave the 5G masts alone, and take a long hard look in the mirror.

@Allinadaystwerk - I'm just a bit sceptical and bemused that it landed in my phone without my prior knowledge or permission.

It was downloaded with your permission. You presumably didn't read the detail of what was included in the latest version before updating your ios or else you activated automatic updates and that is why you weren't aware of it. If you want to know exactly what is in each upgrade, read the detail before updating 🤷‍♀️.

There's enough people who have posted on here to point out it simply enables you to download a tracing APP if you want to

Well if they read the comments on this thread, they probably would have read the notes on the feature in their settings.

Like the settings it's "headline > react", not "headline > read the details > react".

@TheBouquets

I have just found it on my phone too. This is very worrying for reasons other than Covid 19. I have put a lot of effort, not to mention money and heart wrenching decisions, into escaping a very difficult situation and I don't want to be traced. It may not be for the purposes of finding out where each of us are on a daily basis but I now feel that little bit less secure.

I'm sorry you've clearly gone through something horrible. Rest assured this update does not allow you to be traced because:

1. it needs a compatible app
2. the apps are anonymous
3. I believe the UK app is not compatible

It simply is a software update to allow the app to work well.

Someone upthread explained it is like the flashlight functionality: there is a piece of software which can tell your camera flash to stay on. However, you need an app to turn it on. It's just software that allows a potential app to work.

Nothing on my iphone.

I'm just a bit sceptical and bemused that it landed in my phone without my prior knowledge or permission.

Well I mean, this is what happens when software updates. Lots of things change, things get added and updated. I'm slightly bemused that you are bothered by the appearance of this bit presumably nothing else that has been added to your phone's OS has bothered you. Is it literally because its Covid related and you have been on Facebook that you are thinking 'conspiracy'?

I'm just a bit sceptical and bemused that it landed in my phone without my prior knowledge or permission.

Allinadaystwerk, either you have opted for automatic updates, in which case you gave permission for them to be installed then.

Alternatively, if your updates don't install automatically, you opted to install the update and gave permission then.

On my iPhone, even when automatic updates are on, it's still gives me notice before installing so I'd still have an opportunity to stop it if I wanted to.

they mention the car travel, they get this information from people asking for directions on google, apparently
I am at this. I've been doing an online treasure hunt so if they used my Google map direction requests, they're going to think I've been in the US, Germany, Wales ... all in a matter of days

@ BlusteryShowers - It's not the fact that it's there for me. It's more the fact that people didn't know about it.

The only reason people don't know about it is because they don't read the small print before updating the OS. If you want to know, make sure you read the details. If you can't be bothered (like most of us), then you really don't have any grounds for complaint.

Anyone know if it can be deleted and/ or uninstalled?

There is nothing to delete or uninstall, it is not an app

If we manage to get a working app there will be a fascinating link between paranoid and selfish people being super spreaders, and their family, friends and colleagues becoming infected with covid.

I hope enough people are able to see past their tin foil hats to do the right thing in helping to identify and shut down emerging outbreaks.

I can't wait to be able to be told if I'm at risk of having caught covid. I hate the nagging worry when shopping, working, seeing family and friends (all with correct social distancing) that I might pass it on.

I have to help my dad bathe and dress his feet and i worry about passing it on.

On my phone but needs a compatible app to be downloaded so not active

@dementedpixie

There is nothing to delete or uninstall, it is not an app

You're very consistent

@AngryPrincess - Anyone know if it can be deleted and/ or uninstalled?

You can always roll back the latest installation of the IOS (don't know about Android), assuming you have an archived backup with the old version. You will have to restore to factory settings first.

Maybe read the detail before upgrading next time. They always tell you what is in an upgrade before you install and you need to give permission for the installation.

The fact is nobody was told, its pissing people off !....If they can install that on your phone, what else can they install ?...1984 is here...Big Brother is about to watch you !!

You lot are bonkers! Get a grip.

Just checked it's on my iPhone and I didn't download it must have done it when phone updated