William Gallagher
An update to the UK's coronavirus contact-tracing app has been blocked because it breaks rules about collecting location data.
The UK has attempted to update its controversial COVID contact-tracing app to coincide with the relaxation of lockdown rules in England and Wales. The new version would reportedly have asked users to upload venue check-ins, thereby sharing location data.
According to BBC News, both Apple and Google explicitly ban the collection of any location data on privacy grounds. Consequently, both companies have refused the update and only the previous version of the app remains available to download.
BBC News says that the UK's Department of Health declined to discuss the development. However, the UK did announce the new update before it was blocked, claiming that a "privacy-protecting" approach was being taken.
"The app has been designed with user privacy in mind, so it tracks the virus not people, and uses the latest in data security technology to protect privacy," said a spokeswoman at the time.
BBC News notes that Scotland avoided breaking the Apple/Google agreement by releasing a separate app called Check In Scotland.
The UK originally refused to use the Apple/Google framework for COVID contact tracing apps, preferring its own data-collecting system instead. Its $15.6 million investment in that system then failed to produce a functioning app.
Following that failure, the UK government then falsely claimed that no country in the world had got the Apple/Google system to work — before adopting it.
Even using the Apple/Google framework, the UK's system then had issues when users upgrade to the iPhone 12.
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Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
Christine McKee
Wesley Hilliard
Andrew Orr
19 Comments
Now if there were a series of app stores that developers could choose from, they could force the app stores to compete against each other, setting up the quality review and approval process to be a race to the bottom. Where the bottom is the removal of consumer protections while delivering zero cost benefits to them.
But, but...isn't location tracking pretty much a core function of any contact tracing app?
When we go into a pub (bar) or restaurant, we are supposed to scan the qr code in the venue window which lets the app know where we are in case we need to be notified of an outbreak from someone who was there.
I guess the NHS has decided to collect this information from the phone to a central server so they can call is if we need to quarantine.
This collection of data i guess is the reason for the update rejection.
Previously we would have to leave our name and address before entering the venue - on paper. Then the owner would call people up if they had a reported outbreak.
oh the fun of it all !