[LINK] COVIDSafe may need privacy changes to use new Apple and Google tool

[Bernard Robertson-Dunn]

COVIDSafe may need privacy changes to use new Apple and Google tool
https://www.smh.com.au/technology/covidsafe-may-need-privacy-changes-to-use-new-apple-and-google-tool-20200521-p54v36.html
SMH
By Tim Biggs
21/May/2020

The new "exposure notification" technology rolled out on Thursday by
Apple and Google could help solve the technical troubles experienced by
the federal government's COVIDSafe app, but may also require changes to
the way the app collects personal data.

The technology allows deeper access to the iOS and Android smartphone
operating systems, which could reduce issues faced by COVIDSafe
including the iPhone version's reduced operation when the device is locked.

However, in order to utilise the tool, health authority apps must comply
with conditions put in place by the two tech giants in order to protect
user privacy. Namely, the apps must not collect location data, and user
submission of personal contact details must be strictly voluntary.
Currently the COVIDSafe app requires users to supply a phone number.

A spokesperson for Apple and Google said that apps were allowed to ask
for phone numbers and other contact details, and governments could use
that volunteered data to contact individuals who were identified as at
risk, but apps had to give users the option to not provide the information.

Governments could explain in the app what the benefits of providing
contact details were, but users should be making an informed choice, the
spokesperson said.

Apple and Google said public health agencies could define the parameters
that constituted a contact risk, and could determine the content of
notifications shown to at-risk users, for example suggesting next steps.

So even if a user did not supply a phone number and could not be
contacted by the government, the user could still get appropriate advice.

A spokesperson for the government said it was exploring the possibility
of integrating the new tool, but did not comment on potential changes to
COVIDSafe's functionality.

"The technology and uptake of Australia’s COVIDSafe app is leading the
world and [Health Minister Greg Hunt] is today meeting with the VP of
Apple to discuss its success and Australia’s roadmap out of the crisis,"
the spokesperson said.

"The DTA [Digital Transformation Agency] and the Department of Health
have been working with Apple and Google to understand and test the
exposure notification framework since it was released, to see how it can
be applied in Australia. That testing is ongoing."

The DTA last week announced a new update to COVIDSafe that it says makes
Bluetooth performance stronger.

Apple and Google said the new technology is designed to supplement
existing contact tracing efforts around the world, rather than replace
them. It uses Bluetooth to keep track of which smartphones have been
physically near each other, so if someone tests positive to COVID-19 a
notification can be sent to everyone with the app who may have been exposed.

The companies say this allows for a much quicker notification than
traditional contact tracing (done by conducting interviews with those
who test positive) in some situations.

The COVIDSafe app works in a similar way, but without deeper access to
Android and iOS it faces limitations when it comes to consistently
passing Bluetooth information between phones.

An Apple and Google spokesperson said this was one of the main benefits
of their new tool, as phones could ensure Bluetooth beacons were sent
and received regularly and reliably, but without interruption to the
ordinary use of the phone.

-- 

Regards
brd

Bernard Robertson-Dunn
Canberra Australia
email: brd at iimetro.com.au