Many on Hive seem sceptical about Corona Apps and scared that they would be traced. The German Corona App could be the solution. Here is how it keeps your data secure while warning you about possible infections:
- The app generates a unique code, that remains on your phone. You cannot be identified from the code.
- The phone signals the unique code, that cannot be back traced to you, to phones around you. Depending on the Bluetooth signal strength the phones can then identify if you are within the safety distance or outside. If not, the phone will add the code of the other phone to its diary. The corona diary is saved on your phone and is not uploaded.
- If you get infected you can voluntarily upload your unique code to a database. The code does not say anything about you, so it does not eliminate your privacy.
- Every day users of the app check the database, and compare the codes of the database with their diaries. If a code of an infected user matched a code in your diary, you should ask the doctor for a corona test. If a corona test is not available in your country, it is best to self isolate.
Since this app is based on Bluetooth signal and decentralized unidentified people using it, the app knows no political borders and can be used anywhere. The app does not use GPS, so the phone or the app its self does not know where it is. It only knows the codes around it. It puts privacy first. In other countries the corona app are not as generous with user privacy, hence if enough people used this corona app it would not justify the development of corona tracing methods that are more intrusive on privacy. For example, I saw some posts on hive fearing that implanted chips will be used to accurately trace people.
Of course it still requires the people around you to use this app, so it depends on you if this app becomes viral in your area.
Find more information on their website or go straight to the app store for IOS or android. Find the source code here.