It’s a big claim, but it’s true, with ScoMo announcing today that basically the new COVIDSafe app is the most essential of all things that are… essential.
During his press conference today, the PM literally gave about a ten minute address as to why the new app is absolutely needed to get over the COVID hill. And yes, apparently the new tracking app is the Banana Boat, SPF saviour we need in our lives right now.
Scott Morrison likens the #covidsafe #app to wearing sunscreen before going out in the sun. He says if you want to play community sport, you need to download it.#auspol
— Melissa Clarke (@Clarke_Melissa) April 29, 2020
Who the fuck came up with the “Covidsafe App is like sunscreen” analogy being spouted today #auspol.
It’s like sunscreen, where someone else applying sunscreen identifies if they have passed on skin cancer to you when you sat next to them on the beach. #idiots. #COVID19Aus
— Sheeds (@Sheeds_au) April 29, 2020
Did @ScottMorrisonMP just say that the #COVIDSafe app is just like sunscreen? “It protects you when you go outside”. Really? Analogy #FAIL. Was he ever any good at marketing, because he’s rubbish now. #auspol #coronavirus
— 💧Rob Youdan (@robducmoto) April 29, 2020
He also said that nearly three million people had already downloaded the COVIDSafe app, but that we need “millions and millions” more in terms of sign ups for it to be effective.
And the controversial new app has certainly caused some additional uncertainty, as people and politicians, ultimately try to decide if the new app is a privacy concern or not.
So where do you stand with it? It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed with the sheer volume of things going on right now, to think I don’t need the government tracking my life.
I mean personally my life is pretty much get up from my desk at home, go to the bathroom, open the fridge, open the cupboard, look out the window like a true-wannabe-crime-detective, then repeat about 18 times. So I’ve downloaded the COVIDSafe app, mainly in the hopes that this will help us moved forward and overcome the virus quicker.
But I can understand that a lot of people are edgy about it. It’s the government, they don’t exactly have a great track record, and it’s a big moment when you even consider the idea of voluntarily giving them your every movement.
If you’re still uncertain, not too keen on sharing your privacy with the government, check out the thread below – which is one of the better ones I’ve read explaining the app/privacy.
I’ve just installed #covidsafe and want to capture my thoughts on the experience and the general principles behind the app here, especially as they relate to privacy and trust in the government. My last thread on this was 11 days ago and is still relevant: https://t.co/YCoA6x3zql
— Troy Hunt (@troyhunt) April 27, 2020
So in summary, this has the *potential* to be high-value and low-risk. We should all want this to work in a way that’s privacy-centric and just as with social distancing, view it as something we do in the short term then put it behind us for the betterment of our long term. End.
— Troy Hunt (@troyhunt) April 16, 2020
Image Source: Scott Morrison Facebook Page