BOWMAN MP Andrew Laming says he will use the federal government's COVID-19 contact tracing mobile app but warns it could lead to people receiving unwanted phone calls directing them to self-isolate.
Mr Laming said the app would be of limited benefit as infection rates fell while issues with the Bluetooth signal used to record location could cause headaches for users.
He said app signals could travel through walls and windows of more than 1.5 metres, meaning users could be directed to self-isolate for 14 days even if they had not come in direct contact with an infected person.
Despite Mr Laming's concerns, PM Scott Morrison has said the app was a crucial step in rolling back coronavirus measures, with reductions to baseline restrictions to be considered in four weeks.
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It is expected that 40 to 60 per cent of the population would need to download the app for it to be effective.
"The role on the federal government's proposed app is intellectually fascinating but practically will be of limited benefit," Mr Laming said.
"It works with a range of measures and it works at a time where infection rates are high but the motivation to download it will be limited if people don't feel an immediate threat.
"We need about 80 per cent of smart phone users to download the app to get 50 per cent population coverage.
"The purpose of an app is to either save someone time or to spend time. This app does neither.
"The reality is having the app on your phone will likely lead to you getting an unwelcome phone call and instruction to self-isolate for 14 days when in fact you are completely well.
"That is because Bluetooth low energy signals between phones can include going through a wall to another room or a window to completely unaffected individuals."
Mr Laming said brief contact with infected individuals would not be picked up by the app as the algorithm traced contact over periods of 15 minutes or longer.
" .... We would miss every single intimate contact, cough or sneeze or networking where people are moving between each other," he said
"None of those will be picked up with the app."
Privacy issues have also been raised despite Government Services Minister Stuart Robert announcing that data would be securely encrypted on a user's phone.
Mr Laming said Australians should not avoid downloading the app over privacy concerns.
"It is a very impressive system from a privacy point of view and no Australian should be reluctant about that," he said. "Even if one in five of us are reluctant, the system can work if everyone jumps on board.
"I will be using the app, but at a time when infection is dissipating, and most Australians are completely insulated from the severity of the disease, I simply can't see the pick-up getting to a level where this app can make a difference."
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