Forum Topic

A world beating paradise for scammers ...

It does sound like the test and track system has been put out in a rush. Personally, I'd be wary of anyone calling asking me for ANY of those details in full. I'm sure some thought could have been out into the system so they only need a few characters from each and can then search their database? As this wired article says, CLI is of no use, it's so easily spoofed and clicking on links in a email or text message ... all the guidance from NCSC, police, FCA, ICO, security professionals, ... says DON'T do that unless you're absolutely sure you know who the sender is. This is not a recommendation, but if I'm contacted I'm going to assume that as it's a world class system so I will have been assigned a case number; so if phoned, I will ask for the case number (which a world class system will also put in the text or email) and phone back on the number that the NHS has published in a source I can verify - not a number in the email, text or given to me in the phone by someone calling me.https://www.wired.co.uk/article/nhs-track-and-trace-scams

Michael Ixer ● 2136d13 Comments

Interesting. Looks like all is not going well with Singapore's tracing app. I wonder how recptive UK citizens would be to wearing a special contact tracing (note - allegedly not tracking) device? Somehow I don't think they'd be anymore trusting of our government than people in Singapore appear to be of their one?https://www.theregister.com/2020/06/09/singapore_contact_tracing_wearable/

Michael Ixer ● 2132d

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/under-pressure-uk-government-releases-nhs-covid-data-deals-big-tech/Well this was interesting.  Surely one of the problems is also how accurate the test results actually are.  We keep hearing about people with symptoms who have tested negative or have got it in hospital when they were in for something else.  Dominic Minghella's experience was interesting and thought-provoking:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4hgoq-tUUI&feature=emb_shareThis is why we should still be keeping our distance and being careful.

Philippa Bond ● 2135d

Thanks, Bunny. Yes, NZ seems to have kept it simple and avoided Bluetooth contact matching instead relying on users entering contact data and swiping QR codes on location posts together with data collated by companies regarding visitors/employees.  It's planned to enhance it in stages, probably adding Bluetooth at some stage. It works but there seems to be a mutual trust between citizens and government in NZ.I think Singapore may have a working Bluetooth app but don't know how good it is  or whether it uses the Google-Apple platform. 

Michael Ixer ● 2135d

My understanding from my niece in NZ is that theirs worked perfectly and they have practically zero cases now.

Bunny Payne ● 2135d

Ivonne. Only information is in the BBC and Google-Apple stament below. Google and Apple haven't produced an app at present. They've just worked together to enable the Bluetooth protocol to work effectively for this type of application. Looking at the BBC article the Swiss seem to be in the lead to produce an app based of the Google/Apple platform. They are looking to roll out their app mid June if it's approved by their parliament (something the UK skipped interns of privacy) and if their trial with government staff works - sensible as it probably gives them better control than a random one with a small section of the public. It looks like Google and Apple are collaborating further on development but I notice they say " over the coming months" - not weeks. One shouldn't underestimate the complexities of this, its not surprising there's teething troubles. What annoys me, again, is Johnson expecting people to believe him when he glibly says we'll have a world beating system by the 1st June. We patently haven't - yet another failed promise from Johnson. I wonder if he's daft enough to believe his one waffle, or just insults our intelligence?https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-52807635https://www.apple.com/uk/newsroom/2020/04/apple-and-google-partner-on-covid-19-contact-tracing-technology/

Michael Ixer ● 2135d

Is there not an app already being used by most countries in the world?  A Google app? Are there any problems with it?

Ivonne Holliday ● 2135d

I'm sure we'll have one by June ... 2021 😶

Michael Ixer ● 2135d

So, some time yet (if ever) before we get a "world-beating" system...

Richard Carter ● 2135d

Andy, yes it is. It was perhaps unwise to set expectations that the app would be ready for general rollout now. (I can't remember exactly but I seem to remember a statement around mid April it was going to be trialled in the IoW for a couple of weeks before a general rollout.) I just get the impression they've hit a lot more issues than anticipated. It's better to delay than ignore any issues.

Michael Ixer ● 2135d

MichaelIsnt the idea of a controlled pilot precisely to find out the difficulties and iron out the bugs before general and widespread use?

Andy Pike ● 2135d

This is the latest BBC update on the app. Reading this, my guess is it's been developed in a rush and they've found some bugs, possibility around security, that need to be fixed prior to general rollout - more haste, less speed or just unrealistic expectations? That's just a guess based on the usual path these things follow when those leading don't really understand the technology but feel they have to be in charge and dictate the orders. Reading the BBC news item, it sounds like they're using a form of agile development which works if done properly but is often used by those who don't understand it to just cut corners. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-52938660

Michael Ixer ● 2135d

Scammers are already ringing people and asking for credit card details to pay for a test.The system is open to abuse from pranksters as well.And how am I supposed to know who the bloke passing near me in Waitrose the other day is?Deafening silence over the 'trial' on the Isle of Wight. If it was going well, we'd have heard.

Frances Clarke ● 2136d

Just to add, in the rush to recruit 25,000 staff do we know how good the vetting of the staff running the track and trace testing has been? Surely they shouldn't see full DOB, addresses, NHS number, etc if best practice is followed?

Michael Ixer ● 2136d