The “CovidSafe” app has been officially activated by the Federal Government.

Australians are being encouraged to download the app to help slow the spread of coronavirus and give governments the confidence to ease restrictions

The software will be used by health officials to easily find people who have come into contact with a Covid-19 patient, replacing less reliable manual contact tracing.

The government maintains stringent safeguards are in place to protect people’s privacy and downloading the app is voluntary.

National Political Editor Michael Pachi joined The Weekend Catch-Up where he told Mark Gibson the app requires people to  register their name, age, phone number and postcode.

“That data will only be used if you’ve come into contact with some other person who has COVID-19” 

A coronavirus patient also has to give permission for their phone data to be downloaded before people can be contacted.

The privacy provisions will be enshrined in law, and all data will be deleted once the pandemic is over.

The App can be downloaded from the App stores and registration can occur from 4pm WST April 26.

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