MORE than one million Australians might have downloaded the federal government's COVID-19 tracer app, but some people in Dubbo are still unsure.
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Called COIVDSafe, the voluntary app was launched on Sunday and it aims to help health officials identify people who may have come into contact with someone with the disease.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the data in the app can only be accessed by health authorities.
Wendy King said on the Daily Liberal's Facebook page that she would "need to get my head around this, before I make my decision".
While Heather King questioned said the government already had "enough information about us, why give them more".
Joshua Brown urged people to research the app before downloading it, while Robert Collier fears that "hackers will access this new app and get all your info".
Dubbo woman Ingrid Hyland may be yet to download the app, but said she was in supports its introduction.
"I'm all for it, at the end of the day 'Big Brother' knows everything anyway," she said.
"If the restrictions get lifted and I can go and visit my daughters out in the community, I'd like to know if someone is walking down the street with it [the virus].
"At least we can monitor ourselves and help to keep our family safe."
Ms Hyland said she understands the privacy fears that some people have, but said the benefits of the app outweigh the negatives.
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"As long as the app works and they're adamant that once the virus is under control they're going to delete the information then I'm absolutely up for it," she said.
Parkes MP Mark Coulton has urged people to download the app and said it was an important public health initiative which will help keep families and communities safe from further spread of coronavirus.
"If we want to get ahead of this virus, we need to get on board with downloading this app to protect ourselves and those we love," he said.
"We are doing very well in the Parkes electorate as we fight against the spread of this virus, and it's a credit to our efforts adhering to the measures in place to keep us safe - but it's not over yet."
Mr Coulton said users of the app can be reassured that their information will be used appropriately.
I'm all for it, at the end of the day 'Big Brother' knows everything anyway.
- Dubbo woman Ingrid Hyland
"Information provided voluntarily through the app will only be accessible for use by authorised state and territory health officials," he said.
"Unless and until a person is diagnosed with COVID-19, no contact information collected in the app is disclosed or able to be accessed. Once the person agrees and uploads the data, only the relevant state or territory public health officials will have access to the information."
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