NEW: The detail of the NHS app is finally starting to become clear
Here's what it will look like - and the first piece of data it will collect
Here's what it will look like - and the first piece of data it will collect
The app asks for Bluetooth and notifications permissions, nothing more
We've been assured the source code and the documents behind it will be made open when it is launched nationally
We've been assured the source code and the documents behind it will be made open when it is launched nationally
It also - and this is crucial - asks users to declare their own symptoms
If your symptoms indicate you've caught, you’ll be given a reference number and told to call in for a test
If your symptoms indicate you've caught, you’ll be given a reference number and told to call in for a test
Why is self-declaring crucial? Because it is the reason the NHS has gone down a centralised route
This was the critical policy decision that officials say dictated every other decision. They believe you can't secure a decentralised system if you have self-declaring
This was the critical policy decision that officials say dictated every other decision. They believe you can't secure a decentralised system if you have self-declaring
You can guess the question that was asked in a briefing with a senior Whitehall official earlier today
Was this decision dictated by lack of tests?
"Absolutely not... It is absolutely not about testing capacity, it is about best protecting from the virus"
Was this decision dictated by lack of tests?
"Absolutely not... It is absolutely not about testing capacity, it is about best protecting from the virus"
There are lots of good reasons to choose self-declaration over official testing (and the app will give different warnings to people based on the status of the test, even if someone decides not to get a test)
Testing takes time. The early stages of infection are highly contagious
Testing takes time. The early stages of infection are highly contagious
But this decision, which must have been taken at the highest levels, has shaped the entire technical project
Unless things change later - and while officials stress they might - Matt Hancock sounds pretty fixed right now, it is *the* choice
Unless things change later - and while officials stress they might - Matt Hancock sounds pretty fixed right now, it is *the* choice
And when I asked @mikarv - because what else are you going o do? - he didn't seem to think it was very wise
@mikarv Don't want this to come across as overly negative. I heard lots of reassuring things today about privacy and functionality. I also think there are excellent reasons not to rely on tests
But make no mistake, this is a big decision. Its consequences may be with us for some time
But make no mistake, this is a big decision. Its consequences may be with us for some time
This piece by Ian Levy setting out the trade-offs involved with contact tracing is a must read for anyone interested in this topic. Have to say, I love it that the NCSC technical director writes like this - wish more officials did the same
ncsc.gov.uk/blog-post/secu…
ncsc.gov.uk/blog-post/secu…
