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?

It's there ! But only activated wheh you add an app ( so it says !(

It’s on mine too.. but I don’t know why people are so anti Covid tracking. It’s worked really well in other countries! I’ll happily keep it. I was more annoyed when they add an entire Bono album to my iTunes 😂

I have it too.

Such a drama about nothing 🤷‍♀️
It's clearly there for if/when people choose to download a tracking app.

It enables your phone to use an app IF you install an app AND IF you switch on bluetooth. Nothing concerning, just something that enables an app to work should you want to use it.

plus also on the briefings, they mention the car travel, they get this information from people asking for directions on google, apparently. which is why I am relieved I havent broken any lockdown rules, or someone would have known!

I have the exposure logging in health.

But it needs an app and to be switched on to work.

It doesn't really bother me tbh. I think if it helps than great and it's on my phone also.

when you watch the covid government updates. have you never thought about how Google are providing the information for those graphs you see about transport use, recreation use etc...

the boat sailed long ago on our movement and locations, nothing to do with this update.

I don't like the way google, Facebook and others gather information on me. but I like my smart phone though, so have to live with that.

I don't allow mic access or video or audio recording. though I'll never be 100% it's not going on.

I don't have Alexa or any other thing like that in my house. I hated updating to a smart TV as I don't trust that either even though I have not activated anything that it keeps prompting me too, and have checked setting.

I cannot get worked up about the covid notifications update. We are all compromised already. this isn't even active without the app to go with it.

It’s on mine and I don’t care. It’s not tracking you. Mumsnet wanted this anyway as you didn’t want the goverment app so what’s the problem?

@CrowdedHouseinQuarantine

werent we told not to download this or upload or whatever?

No, we certainly weren't.

@Allinadaystwerk

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.

They add things like this in a software update. I suggest getting rid of your phone if you don’t like them adding new features to your phone in an update. You’ll be safer that way...

@CalmYoBadSelf

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.

Exactly. I googled a certain brand of whiskey for fathers day and am now bombarded with Facebook ads.

My phone has so many applications and things running that I didn't ask for and can't seem to turn off. Peel remote? All kinds of stuff that 'they' decided I need. Someone who designed my phone knows how to see my every google search, every online purchase, where I go, how many steps I take in a day etc etc.

This is like that.

I have the Covid App as I am on IOW and this isn't on my phone.

Someone equally incapable of independent thought WhatsApped me this nonsense in the early hours today. It seems people are willing to search their phone settings for it, then can't be bothered to read all the words which explain what it is.

It's not an app. It's a feature to make an app of your choosing work properly.

It's on my iPhone. I did an update maybe a week ago.... must have sneaked in then

Ffs, the conspiracy theorists are out in force.

It's a software update, not an app installation. It's a new feature readying your phone for an app, like a billion other features that are installed with a software update.

I've got it. I'm not in the UK. Where I live we are told there is no Covid-19.

It's on my phone. Coincidentally my phone is also running a bit slow. Not sure if this is a coincidence as my iPhone is a bit old now...

Its just a google/apple update, it doesn't do anything without an app. I just checked my phone and its there and I'm not in the UK and my country doesn't have a Covid app yet so no sinister government stuff

If only the app worked, it sounds good to know, if frightening and very dystopian. There is covid within 1 mile of you type of thing!

Nothing on my iPhone.

Anyone who has this app care to explain what actually happens?

i dont believe it to be sinister

Thus is why you should read the T&Cs of your updates.

Nobody put anything there without your consent if you accepted the update.

The big two companies put it on because it is an important bit of functionality for their tracking app (which is working well in several countries)

Whilst it is turned off, it will not be doing anything to your battery life.

It defaults to 'off'
Unless you actively go in and turn it on, it remain inactive.