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?

Bloody hell, yes, on my iPhone - but no actual app.

On my iPhone!

@fivefoottwoeyesofblue yes there are plenty of us who believe this, because we've all checked our phones' settings and it's right there... if you check your settings is there nothing COVID-related?

You do have to download an additional app to activate but I'm just a bit sceptical and bemused that it landed in my phone without my prior knowledge or permission. It's a bit scary if I'm honest and I don't feel like I have control of my privacy.

On my iPhone too but set to off. I had no idea it was even there until read this thread then checked!

A quick search finds this:

fullfact.org/health/covid-19-track-and-trace-app-has-not-been-automatically-downloaded-peoples-phones/

AWaspOnAWindowReturns It states that it can only be turned on with an authorised app installed, and iPhones cannot install and verify apps without your permission. Even though it's on the phone, it'll be turned off for everyone, it's probably only a setting as certain places were trialling it/they may have put it on when the app was meant to happen.

To people who are worried - you can turn location services off on your iPhone entirely, and it'll never be able to turn itself on without your permission :)

It only works if you have installed an app to go alongside it

It’s not an app. It can’t track you. It’s an update to the operating systems that allow apps to work across both platforms if you download one.

I updated all my Apps today, this is how, Health was updated.

I also suspect private tracing apps will probably start to pop up, where people can opt in, which would require something like this.

It won't be on until you download an app that need to use it. If you never download a track and trace app, this will do nothing.

@Barryisland

Just checked nothing on my phone?

Checked again and it IS there🤔

Also on my iPhone

I'm surprised they put it in the open instead of just on the hidden developer menu screens tbh.

It's just part of the latest android or ios updates.

It’s on mine too

We may never get a tracking app at this rate so it won't "activate"

Yup.

Phone prepped and ready for when I download a track and trace app.

Theres something on mine about covid-19 exposure notifications

Im assuming google has updated on my phone and this is part of the update

My phone cant update as memory is rammed. To be fair I only have contact with two people outside of my house for more than 15 minutes so I wouldn't need the app. It would be my sis and bestie. There no one else I have more than fleeting contact with outside

I have it but it is off and obviously there’s no app to go with it at the moment. The on/off is a toggle function so presumably you’d have to both install the app and switch it on manually before it would work? So if Matt Hancock comes to the door just don’t give him your phone.

It’s on DHs and one of the DCs, but not on mine or the other DCs. None of us consciously update our phones (I currently have 23 Apps requiring updates). The thing is, if Apple can put this on there, what else are they doing with our phones?

Who cares? Let's be honest, the only way to avoid Apple and Google knowing everything in your life is to not have a smartphone and live off grid.

Yep it's on mine too!!