The COVIDSafe app – what you need to know

Posted 6 May, 2020 Lauren Ferrone

There’s been a lot of discussion around the Federal Government’s COVIDSafe app since its launch on 26 April. We’ve gathered some information about the app and why the Government really wants us to use it.  

First things first: what is COVIDSafe?

• It’s an app launched by the Federal Government aimed at keeping you, your family and the community safe from further spread of coronavirus.
• It determines whether you’ve come into contact with someone who has tested positive to COVID-19, helping health officials to quickly contact people who may have been exposed.
• It takes the pressure off you having to remember exactly who you’ve come in contact with as the app keeps a record of that information. How? The app recognises other devices with COVIDSafe installed and Bluetooth enabled. When the app recognises another user, it notes the date, time, distance and duration of the contact.

Want to know more? Read on.  

What is the COVIDSafe app intended to do?

As we all know, we have been instructed to follow some tough restrictions over the past couple of months. And, while downloading an app won’t guarantee we’ll be enjoying a meal at our favourite restaurant any time soon, COVIDSafe was created with the intention to get Australians back to normality as soon as possible. The Federal Government website states: “Use of the app will help us to move more quickly to reduce restrictions than would otherwise be possible.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has described the app as our “ticket” out of lockdown.

   

How much personal information does the app store?

The Government advises that sensitive information, like your name, phone number and postcode, will be kept confidential as the app has been designed with privacy as a priority. The contact information stored in people’s mobiles is deleted on a 21-day rolling cycle. The Federal Government website states that COVIDSafe can’t track your location. When the pandemic is over, users will be prompted to delete COVIDSafe and, as a result, the information uploaded to the app will also be deleted.    

Want more information?

Head to the Federal Government’s website, which has published information on the app.  

How do you download the app?

Here’s where to go if you’d like to download the Federal Government’s COVIDSafe app. If you’re unfamiliar with downloading an app, the link also contains step-by-step guidance.