Source: NHS
What you need to know
- The NHS has released its COVID-19 app in England and Wales.
- It uses random, anonymous identifiers to alert users if they have been exposed to COVID-19.
- It can also be used to check local risk levels and check in to venues.
The UK has finally released its NHS COVID-19 app, enabling exposure notification on devices in England and Wales, as well as risk alerts and venue check-in.
From the NHS website:
The new NHS COVID-19 app, now available to download for free in England and Wales, is the fastest way to see if you're at risk from coronavirus. The faster you know, the quicker you can alert and protect your loved ones and community.
The app has a number of tools to protect you, including contact tracing, local area alerts, and venue check-in. It uses proven technology from Apple and Google, designed to protect every user's privacy.
FAQ: What is the Google-Apple COVID-19 (coronavirus) Exposure Notifications system?
The app is now available to download in England and Wales on both iOS and Android. On iOS, you'll need to be running iOS 13.5 or later, for Android, it's 6.0 and up. For iOS, this means iPhones as far back as the original iPhone SE or the iPhone 6s.
You can read more about the Apple/Google exposure notification framework in our FAQ. At a glance, however, the system uses Bluetooth handshakes to determine if you have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19. It's completely private and requires no personal data from users. The identifiers used are randomized every 15 minutes, and the system cannot be used to identify anyone you have been exposed to or anyone who has tested positive. All of this information is stored on-device, rather than on a server. It cannot be used to trace your geographic location, nor can it access any of your phone's data, such as your contacts. Random IDs are stored on your device for 14 days.
You can notify the app of COVID-19 symptoms, in which case you'll be directed to a website to book a test. If you test positive, you'll be able to get the result in the app.
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, you can choose to share that diagnosis with the app, alerting anonymously other app users who have spent time near you over the previous two weeks so that they can self isolate, helping to reduce the spread of the virus.
You can read more on the NHS COVID-19 website.
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
The first renders of the upcoming Galaxy S21 FE reveal a familiar design
The Galaxy S21 FE is expected to receive an early launch this year, and the first renders show a design that's not too far off from Samsung's current flagships.
Oddworld: Soulstorm doesn't impress in PlayStation Plus
Sony's delivering more incentives to purchase a PlayStation Plus membership by offering new games that launch for free. Oddworld: Soulstorm is the latest, but it's just an ok addition.
The chip shortage means Google has to get its own chip out ASAP
Google can fix the global shortage of Snapdragon chips. All it needs to do is build its own, and then get them into devices that it can actually sell to people.
Break a sweat with these great Oculus Quest 2 exercise games and apps
Do you prefer your workouts to challenge your full body? Do you care more about aerobics or muscle training? Do you need a high-speed soundtrack or a high score to motivate you? Or do you want a game first and foremost, with exercise as a happy bonus? Whatever your preferences, we have the best Oculus Quest 2 VR experiences to keep you healthy while staying indoors.