The Australian Government launched COVIDSafe on April 26, promoting it as essential for lifting lockdown restrictions. Over 6.2 million people have downloaded the app. Yet, no local health authority has reported that COVIDSafe identified any unknown contacts.
Authorities attribute this to Australia’s low case numbers.
“Australia is in a fortunate position with so few cases across the country, including returning travellers who would not have the app,” a Department of Health spokesperson said.
Health authorities have accessed COVIDSafe data in about 30 cases nationwide. During that time, Australia recorded around 565 new cases, many acquired overseas.
Despite this limited use, officials continue to urge Australians to download the app.
Officials See Potential During Protests
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said COVIDSafe could become crucial if infections rise after recent Black Lives Matter protests.
“The COVIDSafe app would be absolutely critical in this type of setting,” Dr Kelly explained. “It’s designed to pick up cases when you don’t know the people around you.”
One protest attendee in Melbourne tested positive among Victoria’s eight new cases. Authorities have not confirmed whether this person had the app.
Manual Contact Tracing Still Leads
In Victoria, COVIDSafe has not identified any close contacts that manual tracers missed. Authorities accessed COVIDSafe data from 21 diagnosed users. One early potential contact flagged by the app was later ruled out.
“With so few daily cases, there have been limited chances to use the app — and we hope this continues,” a Victorian Department of Health spokesperson said.
New South Wales shows similar results. Most recent cases involved hotel quarantine, and health authorities accessed COVIDSafe fewer than 10 times. They have not confirmed if any close contacts were identified.
Queensland, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, the ACT, Western Australia, and South Australia reported no COVID-19-positive users with the app.
How COVIDSafe Works
COVIDSafe uses Bluetooth to exchange anonymous IDs with nearby smartphones running the app. When someone tests positive, they can consent to upload their data to a central database. Authorities then analyze the data to identify close contacts within 1.5 metres for 15 minutes or more.
Measuring Effectiveness Remains Unclear
Experts say it is too soon to judge COVIDSafe’s success.
“There’s just not enough cases and not enough time,” said Seth Lazar, head of the Humanising Machine Intelligence project at the Australian National University.
The Government initially aimed for 40% of the population to download the app. That target has since been dropped. Acting Health Secretary Caroline Edwards told a Senate committee in May that no download target exists.
Technical reliability also remains a concern. While the Digital Transformation Agency has released several updates, debates continue over the app’s ability to collect accurate data.
Dr. Lazar believes COVIDSafe may prove more valuable in a second wave or during mass gatherings. “It’s a scenario where you’re going to get anonymous close contacts, but you may also want a more privacy-preserving approach,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Digital Transformation Agency insisted the app remains secure and effective.
“The Australian community can have confidence in the app, despite the low rate of community transmission,” they said.
Article courtesy: www.abc.net.au
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