UK NHS coronavirus app update blocked for breaking Apple, Google rules

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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19 Comments

EsquireCats 1268 comments · 8 Years

About 3 years ago

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.

GeorgeBMac 11421 comments · 8 Years

Neither Google nor Apple have a contact tracing app.

They do have a low end notification system. But it cannot be used for contact tracing.

The lack of testing and tracing is one of the reasons why western nations suffered so heavily from the virus. That lack of testing and tracing was one of the factors that led to the unconstrained spread of the virus -- like a wildfire in dry timber.

The price of that "freedom" were hundreds of thousands of deaths and tens of millions unemployed.

qwerty52 367 comments · 7 Years

How sad it is this? The world upside down!

A private company as Apple is more concerned about the users privacy than the government, which is normally supposed to protect its citizens

neilm 1000 comments · 16 Years

But, but...isn't location tracking pretty much a core function of any contact tracing app?

scatz 30 comments · 5 Years

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 !