NZ COVID Tracer app for Android and iOS

Forums › Health and fitness › NZ COVID Tracer app for Android and iOS

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5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2486648 19-May-2020 21:05

Thanks- QR codes are not a problem. That's the equivalent of a card with a barcode. Although today was an interesting exercise in frustration with that concept. Visited a client with my brother, and we decided on Burger King as the nearest dealer of carbs. BK signs advised installing a contact tracing app before entry, which seemed not to exist. Even the website failed for this so-called app. Eventually, the manager came out said "just come in and sign the register". Prior to that Akl. Libraries advised that selected libraries would be open, but subject to installing an app for contact tracing- but no mention of which app. Since I already have a library card, a swipe scanner is what's needed. It already knows me and my address, and reading habits. I can observe some app profusion/confusion in this space, unless the Govt. one gains traction.

freitasm

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#2486650 19-May-2020 21:08

alan1:

Thanks- QR codes are not a problem. That's the equivalent of a card with a barcode. Although today was an interesting exercise in frustration with that concept. Visited a client with my brother, and we decided on Burger King as the nearest dealer of carbs. BK signs advised installing a contact tracing app before entry, which seemed not to exist. Even the website failed for this so-called app. Eventually, the manager came out said "just come in and sign the register". Prior to that Akl. Libraries advised that selected libraries would be open, but subject to installing an app for contact tracing- but no mention of which app. Since I already have a library card, a swipe scanner is what's needed. It already knows me and my address, and reading habits. I can observe some app profusion/confusion in this space, unless the Govt. one gains traction.

This was before. The app collects your movements as per QR code scans. As mentioned the codes are business geo-locations assigned by MBIE. Once scanned this is stored on your phone - it does not leave your phone (at the moment there isn't an option for this). If someone is tested positive then they can be asked for a list of places they've visited and that's where the app comes handy. There's also the ability to push notifications to people who visited a specific location at a specific time. This is obviously not possible with pen/paper or some other apps.

JaseNZ

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#2486651 19-May-2020 21:08

Installed on my iPhone just now and set it up I have no problems with it. I just wonder though I did see the PM say that the data stays on your phone only it is your data but it is being sent off to some other place so its not just a personal diary as the PM said.

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding : Ice cream man , Ice cream man

freitasm

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#2486653 19-May-2020 21:08

@JaseNZ:

Installed on my iPhone just now and set it up I have no problems with it. I just wonder though I did see the PM say that the data stays on your phone only it is your data but it is being sent off to some other place so its not just a personal diary as the PM said.

Your data does not leave your phone.

JaseNZ

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#2486655 19-May-2020 21:11

freitasm:

@JaseNZ:

Installed on my iPhone just now and set it up I have no problems with it. I just wonder though I did see the PM say that the data stays on your phone only it is your data but it is being sent off to some other place so its not just a personal diary as the PM said.

Your data does not leave your phone.

Cheers for that I just thought having to sign up etc your data might be going somewhere, which I don't mind not worth following my boring life hahah.

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding : Ice cream man , Ice cream man

freitasm

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#2486658 19-May-2020 21:13

JaseNZ:

Cheers for that I just thought having to sign up etc your data might be going somewhere, which I don't mind not worth following my boring life hahah.

At some point - not now - it may be collected if you test positive and share your data. But it will not be uploaded without you taking action. And this is not available now.

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#2486660 19-May-2020 21:13

Further info on actual information stored -

25. The App will not record any location information automatically. A consumer must proactively use the App to scan the QR code. QR codes will only be displayed at a participating business or location.

26. Once the Consumer has scanned the QR code for a location using the App, information about the scanned locations will be stored on the Consumer’s smart phone.

26.1. The information stored consists of a Global Location Number (GLN), location name, physical address of the location, and the date and time the scan occurred. The GLN is a unique identifier that represents a physical location or sub-location of a business.

26.2. The Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE), through the New Zealand Business Number (NZBN), is responsible for the allocation and management of GLNs and the associated business information.

26.3. The scanned location information, stored on the Consumer’s smart phone, will not be transmitted to the Ministry or anywhere else in Release 1. The data rotation for storage of information on the phone will be 31 days. This is based on a 14-day incubation period for COVID-19, plus 7 days of illness and 10 days of being symptom free. After 31 days the information will automatically delete from the phone. These timings have been set based on public health and contact tracing advice.

26.4. If the Consumer tests positive for COVID-19, when they are contacted by a Contact Tracer for information, they can use their recorded locations as a memory aid, to assist them to answer questions from Contact Tracers about their movements.

26.5. Alternatively, in a future release of the App, a Consumer may elect to send their recorded location information to the Ministry for access by public health staff involved in contact tracing. This will only be able to occur if the Consumer is invited to do this by a Contact Tracer and the Consumer agrees to release the location information from the Consumer’s phone to the Contact Tracer. This will be fully reviewed in a future Privacy Impact Assessment before release.

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

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antonknee

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#2486663 19-May-2020 21:16

Installed, found the sign up/onboarding to be very well done - gave good explanations of the app, how it works, privacy and data concerns etc.

Don't intend on leaving the house much over the next little while anyway so might not get much out of it/

Would be interested to see how many businesses end up actually displaying the QR codes. Is this mandatory or just suggested? Would also be interesting to see if the likes of offices adopt this.

And yes, the age old question of what levels of adoption will it see...

freitasm

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#2486666 19-May-2020 21:20

Reading comments/reviews on Google Play Store. Might have to clarify some of the stuff - and read the post here.

Basically it records your visits to business locations by scanning a QR code that is assigned by the MBIE to businesses.

If you test positive then you can use those records to help you determine your movements. The data (in this version) does not leave your phone.

If someone is positive and tracing identifies a location a notification can be sent to the app and if that location is present in their records then a notification will be shown on the phone.

Again this doesn't require the data to leave the phone.

In the future there may be an option where the user agrees to upload the data so it's easier to trace locations - but this is always an option and requires the user consent.

Again, data is not transferred to any server without your consent - despite what some people are already complaining in those reviews.

Also saying that using pen and paper is easier is completely ignoring that the whole tracing and notification process can be a lot easier when this app is used.

Oblivian

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#2486668 19-May-2020 21:21

Lots of growing love for Rippl on the app reviews. I hadn't noticed this article previously but it does touch on how it's possibly a bit late to try and implement some consistency - those commenting appear to agree

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/121498848/coronavirus-concerns-too-many-tracing-apps-could-do-more-harm-than-good-as-nz-moves-to-level-2

freitasm

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#2486670 19-May-2020 21:25

I would say that different tracing apps will all end up using a single common data platform at some point.

Oblivian

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#2486675 19-May-2020 21:34

Just clicked as to why it's rather popular with some.

"$49 +gst gets you 3 months coverage of Rippl per venue"

But has a free for 3 months offer to wellington and Dunedin businesses. How to avoid paperwork and get people in fast.. 'here's one I prepared earlier..'

antonknee

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#2486693 19-May-2020 21:38

freitasm:

I would say that different tracing apps will all end up using a single common data platform at some point.

You would hope so - otherwise it does really reduce any potential benefit from it.

xpd

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#2486694 19-May-2020 21:39

Installed but cant use........ its designed for larger screen devices (Im using 5.2" 1080x1920 pixels), and then it gives me errors when trying to enter my details.

I find that any NZ developed apps dont like smaller screens :(

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Oblivian

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#2486695 19-May-2020 21:42

D-oh. The old 'lets test it on what devices are in the office, not emulate other sizes' trick.

Have caught a few websites out clearly running with that mantra

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