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THE HSE HAS said it is to begin field testing of the promised new contact tracing app in the coming week, before it is released to the public thereafter.
Three weeks ago, the HSE said it hoped that the app would be available by the end of this month but that deadline has now been pushed into June.
Providing an update on the status of the app, the HSE said that testing will begin this week before details of it are then passed to the Data Protection Commissioner.
“The app will be launched once it is fully operational and the necessary approvals have been received from the Data Protection Commissioner, NPHET, HSE and government,” the HSE said in a statement.
The app is being prepared for field testing which is due to commence next week. This will validate the use of Exposure Notification Service (ENS) to trace close contacts. The ENS has been developed by Apple and Google.
“The Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) will be submitted to the Data Protection Commissioner and will be made available along with the technical documents and source code before the launch of the app.”
Contact tracing apps are seen as a key tool in trying to tame the Covid-19 pandemic in the medium term. Google and Apple are offering their own platform to health authorities around the world with contact tracing.
The app works by allowing your phone to interact with other phones around you via bluetooth. The app does not have to be open to do this and the two tech giants say they cannot see users’ identities because users are assigned a random ID that changes.
The ENS works by informing an individual if they have come into contact with a person who tests positive for Covid-19.
The app will be voluntary, a fact again repeated by the HSE today.
“As part of the national response to Covid-19, a new national mobile app for Ireland has been developed. It will allow citizens to play an active role in the contact tracing process, helping them to stay safe and protect each other. This will assist in national contact tracing efforts in the months ahead,” the executive says.
“The Irish app is being designed in a way that maximises privacy as well as maximising value for public health. The app will operate on a voluntary and fully opt-in basis.”
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@Luke Lee: agree
Far too late, no public appetite for this at this stage. this could (and should) have been done within a couple of days back in March. Shocking level of delays
@Brendan Kilpatrick: Yes it would’ve been nice to have it from the start alright but it’s never too late to do the right thing.
I’ll sign up for it.
@Seriousnojoke: yes me too! But its value depends on the masses signing up for it to actually work. My point is not to discredit the hard work being done such as this, but it was promised end of March. The concept is GREAT, but in practice I just think it’s too late to be effective. Tnx
@Brendan Kilpatrick: anything to do with GDPR can not be rolled out in a hurry. It’s for your benefit and mine that they took their time and made sure that it is not a big brother app. I’d rather they took their time than just roll out an intrusive non functioning app.
@Seriousnojoke: hindsight…?
@Brendan Kilpatrick: Software development is not as quick as that. You can have it fast or you can have it right.
@John fitzpatrick: Also it will be important that there is some sort of verification system for people saying they have had C19, as I can see lots of people saying they have had it when they haven’t.
Fair play, anything that helps is good
Bit late, no?
@Seán Corcoran: No.
@Chin Feeyin: no
@Seán Corcoran: no
@Seán Corcoran: sounds as if you think this is solved..?
@Seán Corcoran:as a great man once said, when the facts change, i change my mind..?
@Chin Feeyin: Yes.
@Seamus Kelly: no
We’ll be in constant lockdown. In Aldi the same time as someone who received a diagnosis, then you’re out for 2 weeks. After that period, you’re on a bus and someone gets a diagnosis. You’re isolating for another 2 weeks. Come out of that, go for a coffee…
@Anne Marie Devlin: You will get tested. Hopefully within 3 days you’ll have your results. If you’re positive you isolate. If you’re negative you go for a coffee. Simple.
@Anne Marie Devlin: If your a close contact you get a test. 2-3 days. You should never be isolating for 14 days unless you test positive.
Well it’s a no from me..
The HSE are still being trusted for things? They weren’t even testing staff for ages into this mess and were responsible for the virus being spread to at least one hostital in Cork.
Big brother no thank you
@sandra clifford: Ok, so you’re not prepared to play your part.
@Hector Son: How many of your liberties are you willing to give up for this disease?
@Rossa Crowe: well said. Enough is enough. Covid-19 was declared to no longer be a High Consequence Infectious Disease in the UK in March – you can check the gov.uk website. Yet the country still went into lockdown? Deaths from covid-19 are not being accurately recorded. In a bad flu season, 650,000 people globally will die(according to WHO). Yet no lockdown, house arrest and a de facto police state. This is all hysteria and fear induced by the media which is turning us against each other. Use common sense folks – move on and get back to enjoying your life. You’ve more probability of dying from a car accident than many genuinely harmful illnesses, SARS, Mers etc.
@Laurel Didn’t: and @rossa Crowe
John and Gemma
@Hector Son: haha. Im not so sure. Have you done thorough research? There is a large set of epidemiologists who have shown this though their research. Lord Sumption from the UK would also agree with us.
@Laurel Didn’t: the issue is lockdown produces more harm than good. Again, there is a growing number of voices from the scientific community who argue this and in all probability I believe they are right. Do the research and see what conclusion you avoid at…
Pointless waste of time. It won’t work and will flop on launch.
@Oracle Steve: Do you know something we don’t?
@Oracle Steve: great to see your living up to your name Oracle maybe your middle name should be Negative Neddy
@For Goodness Sake: Do you really think people will sign up for an application that allows the government to track your whereabouts at all times. Why couldn’t they just license one of the existing CV tracing apps?
I’m 44 and I’ve owned two mobile phones in my entire life, neither of which have been smartphones. This confirms my belief that I’m better off without one.
@Billy: so you use a desktop browser to comment on the news while the sun is shining outside?
@Gonzo: I went outside for a walk right after typing that comment. Thanks for your concern.
@Billy: get with the times Billy. Nobody really cares that you’re staying in the dark ages. You, as an adult, have the choice to download the app if you wish. You’re probably charging the Nokia in the petrol station down the road as you’re yet to get electricity in the house.
What about privacy and data?
@Ray Jakans: if you are worried about that just don’t download it.
Remember with our present acting government there is no free lunches. Possibly out of date before if it ever gets up and running. Beware of the sting in the tail.
I have managed to collect few names and numbers, you know, for contact tracing .. I hope this app isn’t going to damage my chances.
Wonderful. This will allow us to speed up opening the country.
Its phenomenal the amount of effort our front line workers and hse are doing trying to keep the citizens of Ireland safe. I hope it’s appreciated by everyone.
@jackamy: Appreciated? Read some of the naysayers and conspiracy theorists above. They are more interested in creating unrest than saving lives.
@jackamy: it’ll probably be use to front line workers so as they’re 1 of the highest infected clusters of workers
@For Goodness Sake: but sure who takes any of that seriously?
@jackamy: eh – the hospitals are more or less empty.
Wait till it comes out about how much this cost..
@Belter: a lot less than other things lately.
Great news! Sign me up!
@Fionn Darland: No need to sign up you’re already a Guinea Pig
Forgive my ignorance here technology isn’t my best friend but does my Bluetooth have to be on constantly for the app to work cause that hammers the battery if it is?
@Paul O Connor: Bluetooth is on constantly for anyone with a smart watch or car hands free system. It’s not the battery drain it used to be in modern smartphones.
@Eileesh Buckley: But if it notifies anyone within bluetooth range of a case, it will give false notifications. As in if I’m next door to a case will it not notify me because I was in bluetooth range but never actually the same building?
All useless in all probability and most likely the virus has already rippled through the population with herd immunity having been reached. This assertion is supported by a lot of epidemiologists. This is a totalitarian style approach and I doubt it will be temporary. I value my privacy, no thanks. In fact, lockdowns don’t usually prove conducive to Total Harm Minimization. Again, you can’t deny people civil rights.
But what about compatibility with the EU and UK versions? If there’s going to be any cross border travel without quarantine that’s a key requirement.
Any update on a data protection impact assessment?
Any idea of the cost?
Sounds like a lot of people ..judging from the comments so far, think like Dr Trump, testing is BAD, more information is wrong ..ignore and it will go away..?
Harris19 said that this one is for COVID-20
Just inject a GPS tracker in my skull. We obtained the technology from the aliens that landed years ago. Some still live among us. I welcome this new bright future.
Too little, too late.
Social distancing app.?? .. not on my phone… Selling people’s info is BIG. Business, if u need that explained to you then go ahead and download this trap app.
yes please as a 72 year old I want to be able go out and go to town on a bus
have your say