Security is Not the Real Problem with the NHS Contact Tracing App - A Corona Virus Tale

Was just listening to the Government’s Corona Virus update and there was a lot of talk of the new NHS Contact Tracing app. A follow-up story on the BBC showed the app being tested and how it will work. You can check out how the app works here.

I am still looking for the televised story but it also focussed on the privacy concerns not only with the data itself but also with people being coerced into using the app. The scenarios given were whether we might see employers requiring the app of employees returning to work or delivery companies requiring usage of the app before they would make deliveries to an address. All of these concerns are valid and didn’t even touch on the fact that even if the app does not store your location, that information could be developed from data. For it to be effective, at least 80% of smartphone users need to take up the app. The unanswered question is, will the security concerns prevent people from downloading the app.

I am not downplaying these security concerns but this is the wrong question. The question they should be asking is, will you be able to use the app and not have to self-isolate after every trip out of the house. Check out this little experiment that I ran to find out.