The NHS contact-tracing app

You don't have to store the data. All you need is a key which will link you to whatever data on however many databases it's set up to query. So you only need a key.

That is a VERY simple explanation. I work with them.
 
The app (from what I've read) doesn't download your medical data to the phone, it logs your contacts with other devices and if you show signs of symptoms then you notify the NHS and upload those contact logs for analysis and arrange to be tested.
Algorithms are then supposed to filter out fleeting contacts or those rendered safe due to obstructions like walls and then notify only those who are at risk of infection and what they should do next.
I don't know how other countries apps are doing that sort of nuanced filtering, if indeed they are.
 
Confused now because I thought the app worked like this;

1. A & B come into contact with each other
2. Each persons phone exchanges anon identifying data via Bluetooth
3. After a few days A is diagnosed with Covid
4. A enters test result into app
5. Alerts are sent out to everyone who has had direct contact with A
6. Alerts are anon so the contacts do not know who triggered them
7. The alert advises B to quarantine or get tested.

If this is accurate then I don't see what personal data is stored nor how you could get into other databases.
 
Millbrook said:
Confused now because I thought the app worked like this;

1. A & B come into contact with each other
2. Each persons phone exchanges anon identifying data via Bluetooth
3. After a few days A is diagnosed with Covid
4. A enters test result into app
5. Alerts are sent out to everyone who has had direct contact with A
6. Alerts are anon so the contacts do not know who triggered them
7. The alert advises B to quarantine or get tested.

If this is accurate then I don't see what personal data is stored nor how you could get into other databases.
Click to expand...


If you have to enter your NHS number or your NI number as part of the process (or any other unique info that can be linked to those, just by way of example) then if you transmit that info to the people monitoring and they have access to your unique identifiers and access to other databases that have those identifiers, everything about you on those databases then becomes accessible.

So you don't need to have your medical data on your phone, just a number that identifies you uniquely. That could be as simple as your mobile number. And something in the data would have to identify you as an individual otherwise the whole system would fall over.

Your choice, but be informed when you make it.

PS bed time for me.
 
FartingGnome said:
That'll do wonders for the tourist trade. Hand your medical data over to Dominic Cummings and you can come in. Can't wait to see that as a ad campaign for the Tourist Board or whatever it calls itself nowadays.
Click to expand...

Taking back control?
 
At the moment you can only ask for a test if you think you have the virus and belong to certain group keyworker or over 65 etc. Therefore that would have to change to include all those sent a positive signal. Then there is an issue with incubation period as we were told it takes 14 days to develop with some people.

What we need is your own test kit pack where you can test yourself once a day and get an instant result, like a pregnancy test. You could take your result with you when you leave the house and show it to relevant people who may ask such as hair dressers who come into close contact with you. The result could be physical or on your phone so everyone can be involved. People who have had the virus would carry a certificate too, tested with anti body kit - if its proved you can only get it once.
 
Redwurzel said:
At the moment you can only ask for a test if you think you have the virus and belong to certain group keyworker or over 65 etc. Therefore that would have to change to include all those sent a positive signal. Then there is an issue with incubation period as we were told it takes 14 days to develop with some people.

What we need is your own test kit pack where you can test yourself once a day and get an instant result, like a pregnancy test. You could take your result with you when you leave the house and show it to relevant people who may ask such as hair dressers who come into close contact with you. The result could be physical or on your phone so everyone can be involved. People who have had the virus would carry a certificate too, tested with anti body kit - if its proved you can only get it once.
Click to expand...
There will be conmen printing certificates already. The immunity will not be long term, if at all, so how often will retests be required?
 
I am interested to know why should immunity only last 6 months? what is the evidence for this? (and I know there is no current conclusive evidence for immunity or non-immunity)

Spanish flu virus immunity lasted for ever didn't it? other wise major outbreaks would have kept re/occurring after 1920.

Anyone know the current take up rate of the NHS app on the Isle of Wight?

I know Government ministers have said they needed 60% take up amongst the population which I think they will be lucky to get near especially in an are where a lot of the population are over 70.

I still think the vast majority of our resources should be going into improving testing and developing a vaccine.
 
There's an article in the guardian but it's just a few people's opinion. I think it's more concerning that it doesn't work on older phones, than low take up amongst older people who may well still be in lockdown, depending on how it's lifted. I think the key behind take up is it being mandatory on public transport and also shops and gyms and restaurants making it required.

If they go back to the apple/Google app so be it. I would find it heartening that they would risk critisicm, rather than just press on dunderheaded, to avoid losing face.
 
Cooper671 said:
Along with all the other phones aswell. Do they only come after people wearing tin foil hats who’s phone was in the area at the time?

You’d think people would want to stop the spread of the virus. The government that they sit around blaming everyday asks you to play your part but the conspiracy theorists are straight out.

By all means don’t play your part but you’ll be complicit in allowing the virus to spread and the deaths of people you are so keen to blame on the government
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😁
 
Personally I am happy to do anything meaningful to reduce deaths - apps, tests, vaccines etc

To me if only 20% of people adapted it I would have thought it would help (assuming it odes what he says on the can etc). I would like tests to be place for those that received an alert.
 
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