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The English contact tracing app will be released on 24 September
Its main selling point is its check-in system. Government is already pushing businesses to start putting QR codes around their venues
But there might be a significant problem
Its main selling point is its check-in system. Government is already pushing businesses to start putting QR codes around their venues
But there might be a significant problem
This week, the government said it would make it illegal for some businesses not to collect customer's contact details
This is the announcement
"...required by law to record contact details"
This is the announcement
"...required by law to record contact details"
Thanks to its privacy-preserving design, the app doesn't let venues collect any of those details
All the data – none of which contains your name or address anyway – is stored on the phone. Even public health teams don't get to see it, as the check-ins never leave the device
All the data – none of which contains your name or address anyway – is stored on the phone. Even public health teams don't get to see it, as the check-ins never leave the device
Here's the list of details you have to collect if you're a pub or restaurant owner
The app won't do any of that
To me this looks like any businesses just using the app will be - and I can't quite believe I'm saying this - breaking the law
The app won't do any of that
To me this looks like any businesses just using the app will be - and I can't quite believe I'm saying this - breaking the law
Someone who runs a check-in app has got in touch, enraged
"This is going to be a car crash," he says. He also points out that pubs will need a second system for anyone who doesn't have a phone
"This is going to be a car crash," he says. He also points out that pubs will need a second system for anyone who doesn't have a phone
Just looking again at this announcement. Point two: "details must be stored for 21 days and shared with NHS Test and Trace, if requested"
The. App. Won't. Do. That
The. App. Won't. Do. That
The new rules about collecting contact details come into force on 18 September
It might be that I'm completely wrong, but if I'm not then government has a week to fix this
It might be that I'm completely wrong, but if I'm not then government has a week to fix this
By the way, if you're wondering about the epidemiological benefit of an app that won't share data on check-ins - it's hard to tell
The NHS can send a list of codes for a venue to all apps, effectively saying “these are places where a covid-positive individual has spent time"
The NHS can send a list of codes for a venue to all apps, effectively saying “these are places where a covid-positive individual has spent time"
Then the apps can locally check if they have checked in at the same location at roughly the same time
But no information ever goes to a central authority (or server), so contact tracers can't check names/addresses
Will this make it harder for T&T? I'd be interested in thoughts
But no information ever goes to a central authority (or server), so contact tracers can't check names/addresses
Will this make it harder for T&T? I'd be interested in thoughts
Explanation from DHSC. Apparently checking in with the app will meet the legal requirements - but pubs and restaurants will still need to operate two systems to catch people without phones
The guidance doesn't say that yet, but i'm told it will be amended https://www.gov.uk/guidance/maintaining-records-of-staff-customers-and-visitors-to-support-nhs-test-and-trace
The guidance doesn't say that yet, but i'm told it will be amended https://www.gov.uk/guidance/maintaining-records-of-staff-customers-and-visitors-to-support-nhs-test-and-trace
