Sanele Ndlovu

On Wednesday, 2 September, the Health Department officially launched the covid-19 tracing app.

The COVID Alert SA app is expected to compliment and strengthen the existing methods of notifying people about a positive test. The app enables contact tracing through mobile phones; hence it is built on the exposure notification Application Programming Interface (API) and was developed by Apple and Google.

What is good about the app is that it preserves one’s privacy.

“The app is fully privacy-preserving, in line with the requirements of the API, and does not collect any personally identifiable information or trace a user’s location.”

People then shared what they thought of the app, Sabelo Mbobo said he applauds the government for discovering this app.

“Coming up with this app was a great idea, especially if you look at how much the country is going through right now because of Covid-19 and the world at large,” he said.

He then added that the government still needs to work hard and promote this app. Although it sounds like a good plan that might work, it still does not accommodate everyone.

“There are some people who do not have smart phones and cannot use them. Most of those people are our grandparents which are at a greater risk of contracting this virus and die from it,” said Mbobo.

The COVID Alert SA app uses Bluetooth. It randomly emits generated codes which are picked up by devices that are closer to one another. The app then saves details of those you have been in contact with, anonymously. When a user tests positive, they tell the app and then it alerts all those you have been in contact with for the past 14 days!