NHS coronavirus tracing app will ask users for personal details despite privacy concerns

NHS coronavirus contact tracing app will ask users for personal details despite concerns about patients’ privacy

  • People will be invited to enter the first half of their postcode and other details
  • When someone downloads the app, it will track who they come within 6ft of
  • This comes after more than 175 UK academics voiced concerns about the app 
  • Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

The NHS contact tracing app will ask users for personal details despite concerns about patients’ privacy.

The app has been devised by NHSX, the digital arm of the Health Service. If someone downloads it, Bluetooth technology is likely to track who they come within 6ft of for at least 15 minutes. 

If a user develops symptoms they can inform the NHS, triggering an alert sent to other users they have come into contact with.

A coronavirus contact tracing app will ask users for the first half of their postcode and track people within 6ft for at least 15 minutes, despite privacy concerns (file image)

The news comes after more than 175 UK academics signed a letter voicing concerns about the app and claims that personal details could 'make people identifiable' (file image)

The news comes after more than 175 UK academics signed a letter voicing concerns about the app and claims that personal details could ‘make people identifiable’ (file image)

However, those who download the app will also be invited to enter the first half of their postcode, and later their gender and age bracket. 

The news comes after more than 175 UK academics signed a letter voicing concerns about the app. 

Dr Natalie Banner, from the group Understanding Patient Data, warned personal details ‘could make people identifiable’.

The NHS stressed that providing the data will be voluntary, adding it will be used only to identify virus hotspots and trends. 

An NHSX spokesman said: ‘Users will remain anonymous up to the point where they volunteer their own details, and there will be no database that allows the de-anonymisation of users.’