NZ COVID Tracer app for Android and iOS

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Ultimate Geek

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#2610152 25-Nov-2020 07:49

Yep that’s great, version 2.0.0 on iOS no longer requires an account. Hopefully increases the uptake a little.

Fingers crossed the Apple/Google API isn’t far behind, I would’ve thought that would be worth waiting for to push out in a major version like 2.0.0.

BarTender

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#2610167 25-Nov-2020 08:32

rugrat: My COVID tracer applic just updated on iOS.

Had update was available 3 days ago, but saw people were still mentioning about logging in.

In the new update, no account needs to be created, and there is no logging in to scan. Hopefully means no data connection needed to scan, will test when go out next.

‘If wish to enter personal details, takes to a website outside application, and log in there with email address, but looks like can be used without this for scanning.

The app has never required data to scan, it has always been based on the data you scan into the QR code. The only data it uses is to phone home to MoH to say "someone scanned somewhere", so it never tracks your device, or the location you scanned. Only the fact a person scanned at a location as part of their aggregate data they present at the 1pm's on how many scans occurred which naturally don't include those who have mobile data turned off and it is also reported back to WHO the uptake of the app.

alasta

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#2610168 25-Nov-2020 08:33

rugrat:

Hopefully means no data connection needed to scan, will test when go out next.

This is an interesting point. My elderly mother has an old hand-me-down iPhone 6 with no data plan. Some time ago I wanted to test whether the app works without a data connection, so I put my phone on airplane mode and was able to successfully scan a code.

However, I'm guessing that if the app randomly logged you out then you would be unable to log in without an active data connection. Hopefully the new update will resolve this limitation.

freitasm

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#2610186 25-Nov-2020 09:19

There a few new things and updates. I have a list of updates:

New users will not need to register with an email, password to start using NZ COVID Tracer
Existing users won't have to re-enter their password every 30
Redesigned dashboard
Changes to My Profile page

Keep scanning folks!

rugrat

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#2612696 29-Nov-2020 16:33

Was out with someone today. Added them into additional details.

‘The done button, iPhone 6, does not get rid of keyboard, but just acts as a enter button and goes down one line, pretty sure the done button got rid of keyboard in earlier version.

I used the back arrow to get out, and then went into dairy, location was there but no additional detail. Used edit to add in details of visit.

Did some experimenting next location and looks like to get out of keyboard entry is to tap above the box typing into. Don’t think very intuitive way.

freitasm

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#2618401 9-Dec-2020 05:02

I have a very long FAQ file for this update - if you have questions, please post and I will try and answer those. Most importantly this update, available from some time on Thursday 10th December, will implement the Bluetooth-based Apple/Google Exposure Notification Framework.

Bluetooth upgrade to NZ COVID Tracer app to boost contact tracing while protecting privacy

Contact tracing in New Zealand will get a substantial boost from 10 December with the addition of Bluetooth tracing to the NZ COVID Tracer app, Minister for COVID-19 Response Chris Hipkins said today.

“Kiwis deserve a summer break more than ever this year but we cannot take our eye off the ball. The prospect of another outbreak should serve as a rock under our beach towels. That’s no bad thing,” Chris Hipkins said.

“As summer approaches and Kiwis take holidays and travel more around the country, this new Bluetooth functionality adds to the tools we already have and improves our chances of getting on top of any potential outbreak quickly – as long as we use them.

“It allows app users to receive an alert if they have been near another app user who tests positive for COVID-19.

“But it’s vitally important that New Zealanders see Bluetooth as an additional tool that will help to speed up contact tracing. We need to continue to scan QR codes wherever we go, and businesses, services and public transport providers must keep displaying their QR Code posters at all alert levels.

“QR codes allow us to create a private record of the places we’ve been, while Bluetooth creates an anonymised record of the people we’ve been near.

“Combined, they complement the work done by our public health units and the National Investigation and Tracing Centre to rapidly identify and isolate close contacts. That continues to be the primary method for contact tracing in New Zealand,” Chris Hipkins said.

How it works

Bluetooth tracing in the NZ COVID Tracer app implements the Apple/Google Exposure Notification Framework, a secure protocol for transmitting Bluetooth data between devices.

If you choose to enable Bluetooth tracing on your phone, it works by exchanging randomised ‘keys’ with other phones that are also using Bluetooth tracing. The keys do not include any information about who you are or where you were.

When an app user tests positive for COVID-19, they can choose to alert other app

users who may have been exposed to the virus. This involves uploading the ‘keys’ that their phone has broadcast since they became infectious.

If your phone sees that one of the keys it has collected is listed in the notification, you’ll receive an alert together with advice on what you should do next to keep yourself and your whānau safe. The Ministry of Health will not know you have received an alert unless you choose to get in touch for information and advice.

Privacy

“We need as many people as possible to use the app, so it’s incredibly important that New Zealanders know they can trust the app with their personal information,” Chris Hipkins said.

“Maintaining privacy has been a top priority throughout the development of the NZ COVID Tracer app, and this doesn’t change with Bluetooth tracing. All the contact tracing information you collect with the app is held securely on your phone, and it’s always your choice what information you choose to share.

“The app has been endorsed by the Privacy Commissioner, and the Ministry of Health is releasing the source code so New Zealanders can see for themselves how their information is managed.”

Chris Hipkins said the Government recognised there are many New Zealanders who do not have access to a compatible smartphone. While no decisions have yet been made on any wider rollout of the proposed contact tracing cards, there is potential for the cards or other wearables to form part of a broader system of interoperable technologies.

“The recent community trial of the cards with the Te Arawa COVID-19 Response Hub has highlighted that a partnership approach to any future rollout of cards or wearables will be essential to increasing community trust and participation with contact tracing technologies.”

BarTender

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#2618404 9-Dec-2020 05:46

I think this is fantastic and exciting news. Congratulations to the MoH folks for getting the update out.

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cshwone

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#2618406 9-Dec-2020 06:40

Very straightforward - Bluetooth line in the Dashboard allows you to enable or disable at any time. Your choice.

The app is very stable. I don't normally have Bluetooth enabled on my phone as a matter of course but haven't noticed any significant degradation in battery life since installing this update

Ge0rge

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#2618407 9-Dec-2020 06:53

Is it possible to view how many "keys" have been exchanged? Purely curiosity, I understand that there are no identifying details in the keys, but more just wondering if you can see how many other people on a given day you have interacted with?

cshwone

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#2618409 9-Dec-2020 07:02

Ge0rge: Is it possible to view how many "keys" have been exchanged? Purely curiosity, I understand that there are no identifying details in the keys, but more just wondering if you can see how many other people on a given day you have interacted with?

No it is not. Also you have control over sharing the information you have collected. If you have been contacted by a contact tracer you control the release of your Bluetooth data by entering a code sent to you. Your choice again but obviously daft not to.

lxsw20

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#2618410 9-Dec-2020 07:04

Assuming same as the UK setup (Its just using an API) then Settings > Exposure Notifications > Logging Status > Exposure Checks, will show the any matched keys and gives a key count.

I sometimes get it coming up saying I've been close to someone with COVID but not for long enough that I need to self isolate, thats about the only activity I've seen on the UK app.

Dingbatt

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#2618412 9-Dec-2020 07:10

“Bluetooth tracing in the NZ COVID Tracer app implements the Apple/Google Exposure Notification Framework, a secure protocol for transmitting Bluetooth data between devices.”

Is the exposure notification framework something that is already sitting latent in the OSes? For Android particularly, if we have to wait for the standard update process of Google->OEM->Carrier then the pandemic will have run its course by the time the capability is available. If that is the case then the government needs to ‘light a fire’ under those involved in the process.

The reason I ask is this morning’s report on the radio said “rolling out to iPhones”. Imagine if you caught COVID from a (gasp) Android user...

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

Oblivian

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#2618413 9-Dec-2020 07:20

It come out with ios 13.4 mini update, and jult/sept OS releases for android

So most new devices and those ios users who actually update have had it already

Caused the tinfoil wearers to come out with lots of ways to ensure it was turned off so 'the gvmt cNt track' at the time

Dingbatt

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#2618415 9-Dec-2020 07:23

Oblivian: It come out with ios 13.4 mini update, and jult/sept OS releases for android

So most new devices and those ios users who actually update have had it already

Caused the tinfoil wearers to come out with lots of ways to ensure it was turned off so 'the gvmt cNt track' at the time

Thanks.

The govt can track my SIM, so I don’t have a problem with this.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

freitasm

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#2618428 9-Dec-2020 07:53

Dingbatt:
So

“Bluetooth tracing in the NZ COVID Tracer app implements the Apple/Google Exposure Notification Framework, a secure protocol for transmitting Bluetooth data between devices.”

Is the exposure notification framework something that is already sitting latent in the OSes? For Android particularly, if we have to wait for the standard update process of Google->OEM->Carrier then the pandemic will have run its course by the time the capability is available. If that is the case then the government needs to ‘light a fire’ under those involved in the process.

The reason I ask is this morning’s report on the radio said “rolling out to iPhones”. Imagine if you caught COVID from a (gasp) Android user...

The framework is part of Google Play services and it should not depend on OEM release.

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