When COVIDSafe was launched, the government used hammering awareness-raising campaigns to get people to download this application to their phones, which, thanks to the exchange of Bluetooth signals between two devices, should facilitate the tracking of coronavirus cases.
To date, however, it is unclear how efficient the app really was in helping public health authorities.
Highlights
- There is no public data proving unequivocally the effectiveness of the COVIDSafe app
- The new social media TikTok is widely being used by the younger generation, but it sparks great concerns due to the fact that the app is owned by a Chinese company
- The ACCC has launched legal proceedings against Google for failing to properly inform users about the use of their personal data
"The app is not working as it should and this is mainly due to the government's decision to use a new ad hoc protocol instead of using existing protocols," according to technology expert, Davide Gaido.
"The experiences of Ireland and Germany are the most successful in this field because the governments of these countries have decided to use the API developed by Google and Apple."
"The problem is that there is no publicly available data regarding the effectiveness of the app," continues Gaido. The lack of data therefore does not allow analysts to understand whether the government's investments in this field have had the desired effects, or whether they have been largely futile.
According to Davide Gaido, the feeling within the technological community seems to lean towards the second option.
Residents in metropolitan Melbourne are subject to stay-at-home orders and can only leave home for essential work, study, exercise or care responsibilities. It is also mandatory to wear masks in public.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
