The COVID-19 contact tracing app is called COVIDSafe.
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It only works on smartphones and can be downloaded from the Apple or Google app stores.
Use of the app is voluntary.
PURPOSE
* To identify people who may have come into contact with someone who has COVID-19 so that they can be advised to take measures to help stop the spread of the disease or get tested.
REGISTRATION
Registration will require users to input their:
* mobile phone number - so they can be contacted if needed for contact tracing.
* name - so the relevant health officials can confirm they are speaking to the right person, although the Health Minister says you can use a fake name if you want.
* age range - so health officials can prioritise cases for contact tracing.
* postcode - to make sure health officials from the right state and territory are dealing with your case.
COVIDSAFE IN USE
The app will record the following contact data:
* the encrypted user ID.
* date and time of the contact.
* the Bluetooth signal strength of other COVIDSafe users you come into contact with. This will be logged every two hours in the National COVIDSafe data store.
* No location data will be collected at any time.
* Contact data stored on a device will be deleted after 21 days.
* All data stored will be deleted once the pandemic has concluded.
PRIVACY
* Personal information collected via COVIDSafe will handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Biosecurity Determination 2020.
* There will be criminal penalties and anyone breaches someone's privacy.
(Source - Australian Government Department of Health)
Australian Associated Press