from Hacker News

NHS Covid-19 app update blocked for breaking Apple and Google's rules

by mbalyuzi on 4/12/21, 9:50 AM with 60 comments

  • by sitharus on 4/12/21, 10:57 AM

    That's odd, since the NZ Covid Tracer app definitely has this feature, it's part of the standard process when someone tests positive.

    As far as I know it only includes the manually scanned codes though, not the bluetooth proximity tracing data. Perhaps the NHS app was trying to gather this?

  • by TYPE_FASTER on 4/12/21, 6:17 PM

    The Exposure Notification FAQ: https://covid19-static.cdn-apple.com/applications/covid19/cu...

    Relevant quote from the FAQ doc: There will be restrictions on the data that apps can collect when using the API, including not being able to request access to location services, and restrictions on how data can be used.

  • by cameronh90 on 4/12/21, 10:21 AM

    Irrespective of ones own feelings about this particular app: isn't it interesting that Google and Apple have the power to collect all our location data, but can refuse our democratic governments access to that data even on a voluntary basis?

  • by bellyfullofbac on 4/12/21, 10:23 AM

    Gotta love the images of the overly complex QR codes... Hey devs, stop packing so much info on those things!

  • by Gatsky on 4/12/21, 10:46 AM

    If there is one thing we’ve learned from this pandemic it’s that apps will not save us.

  • by newbie578 on 4/12/21, 11:19 AM

    I won't go into the morality of this particular issue if Apple or Google is right or wrong in this case, but I do think that Apple and Google are slowly but surely pushing their limits...

    Even if they are right, no government wants to be beneath a corporation, and have it so publicly displayed how a corporation wields more power than government.

    Apple and Google are just asking to be regulated, and contrary to HN sentiment, I cannot wait for that moment. I think I'll open the champagne and make a toast to Tim Cook.

  • by ourcat on 4/12/21, 10:12 AM

    Many billions of pounds are being wasted on this. This failed app and system has had ten times the overall cost of the Mars Perseverance mission budgeted for it.