Privacy concerns, iPhone performance hinder COVIDSafe

“Millions have downloaded the new COVIDSafe contact tracing app, but there’s a few reasons millions more haven’t.”

App users on iPhones have to keep the app running and activate a low power mode to preserve battery.

“There is a major chink in the design. And little attention was placed on user device performance,” University of Wollongong engineering and information sciences Professor Katina Michael said following the app’s release.

“Here we have a purported app that allegedly works (I don't know how the user will be sure it is actually working as it should be) and we have not tested this for performance and battery usage. How much market share does iOS have in Australia? Significant,” Prof Michael said, citing a 40 per cent figure, in line with the Government’s original goal for uptake.

She also expressed concern the app could give people a false sense of security.

“The attitude that says: ‘I can be out and about now, because I have the app’ … Watch this space. The paradox? The more security we perceive we have, the more insecure we actually are,” Prof Michael said.

Citation: Jack Gramenz, 1 May 2020, “Coronavirus app: Privacy concerns, iPhone performance hinder COVIDSafe”, news.com.au, https://www.news.com.au/technology/gadgets/mobile-phones/coronavirus-app-privacy-concerns-iphone-performance-hinder-covidsafe/news-story/afc9114dce8c27dbfe3d5c559f3d6af4