Will You Be Downloading and Using the New NHS COVID-19 Apps?

bobblebob

https://www.theregister.co.uk/AMP/2020/05/05/uk_coronavirus_app/?__twitter_impression=true

After reading that probably not. It may not work technically, will be a battery drain and possibly illegal

neilmcl

Chino said:

neilmcl said:

The only risk is if the centralised server gets hacked but tbh NHS servers are fairly secure and there probably wont be any useful data on there to be useful to hackers anyway.

The main risk is that accurate location data will be made available to any and every government department in pursuit of some spurious "public health" reason. Even assuming that the app's privacy policy includes any restrictions on the government's use of the data.

Even if the original repository of the data is, as you claim, "fairly secure", there's no guarantee of the security of the data once other government departments start to siphon-off the data.

That location data (all 7 days of it) is only uploaded if or when you become infected and choose to tell the app to do so. It'll be no different if you were to be physically contacted by contact tracers who would be asking for your location history over the previous 7 days.

neilmcl

bobblebob said:

https://www.theregister.co.uk/AMP/2020/05/05/uk_coronavirus_app/?__twitter_impression=true

After reading that probably not. It may not work technically, will be a battery drain and possibly illegal

Don't know about the legality, of course someone from the home of Google and Apple would say that though, but as far as it working and battery issues etc, surely that's what the trial is for to find these things out.

womble12345

I shall be installing it, I dont do anything dodgy so dont have anything to hide.

DoaM

If you have an Android phone linked to a Google account then it is probable that Google already knows your location history. (Unless you've actively turned this off). The same probably applies for iOS and Apple.

Willing2Learn

I always have the GPS switched off.  I don't want the state knowing my where I am, thank you very much!

arciere

DoaM said:

If you have an Android phone linked to a Google account then it is probable that Google already knows your location history. (Unless you've actively turned this off). The same probably applies for iOS and Apple.

Yes that's true, although for what the app is meant to do, that would probably be useless, as they need to know exactly (i.e. within 5 metres) if you've been in close proximity to an infected person. Google uses GPS or variations of that technology, but it's not that accurate or precise.

arciere

Willing2Learn said:

I always have the GPS switched off.  I don't want the state knowing my where I am, thank you very much!

"The state" has got many ways to do that, even if you have GPS switched off. They can use your connection to the mobile network, they can use the WiFi you are connected to, etcetera etcetera. 

Willing2Learn

I know that.  I do watch TV & films and realise 'they have their methods' to sadly locate an individual.  I don't use an Oyster card in London either, as that is another method for them to find you.  Not that I am paranoid or anything.  I may well download and temporarily install the app.  I do think it is a 'civic duty' as they say....

RumRat

It may harm my witness protection status....