Will a voluntary trip to the app store be enough?

Rather than asking the population to volunteer for the new virus-tracking app (“‘Monumental’ task to hit target for tracking app,” 18-19/4), it should be mandatory. This is a time where the rights of the individual should give way to the overall good of the collective.

The rights of the individual should be suspended until the virus is beaten if we are truly all in this together.

John Partridge, Manly, NSW

Who in their right mind would sign up to the proposed virus-tracking app? This government has snuck through metadata retention legislation, obfuscated its requirement to report annually on breaches, broadened the ATO’s cyber data matching by stealth and prosecuted government whistleblowers while championing corporate whistleblowers. What a shame a government that has done so much to fight this threat has nothing left in trust bank when it comes to surveillance.

Peter Davies, Clothiers Creek, NSW

Instead of bullying people to use the COVID-19 app, Scott Morrison would be better to assure us it captures only our phone number and no other personal data. We are not prepared to trust the Prime Minister. We need to know all the facts.

Margaret Ludowyk, Brunswick, VIC

Australians understand that certain limitations on fundamental freedoms are unavoidable during the coronavirus crisis. But there is a real risk that the government’s tracking app could trigger a lasting impact on our freedoms.

Simon Pijaca, Glenhaven, NSW

Privacy concerns almost certainly mean that a mobile phone tracking app to detect contact with infected persons will not be acceptable for a sufficient number of Australians for it to be effective.

There is no incentive for an infected person to install the proposed tracing app. For it to work, it needs to be as universal as possible. A compulsory tracking device, independent of phone networks, might be more acceptable, particularly if it could be discarded or destroyed once it had been determined that the virus had been eliminated.

Roger Tonkin, Newtown, NSW

Like everything, there is a trade-off between risk and benefit. I would normally never load a government tracking app. But in the current circumstances, I will be one of the first to do so.

Individual identification, tracing and testing is vital to control and radically diminish the effect of COVID-19 and anything that enhances and speeds up this nearly impossible task should be supported. I predict a 75 per cent-plus uptake, even if it takes time for the positive effects of the app to becomes clear.

Bill Gabriel, Morningside, QLD

Looking at things through ancient eyes (I am in my 95th year), the more convinced I am that we are on a slippery slope to the far right, with all that such a position implies. Progressively over the years we have shifted from being a free-spirited, relatively happy-go-lucky nation to one of oppression by inference and interference.

It would be tedious to recount every incursion into our lives that has been imposed during the past 50 years. It is sufficient to view with profound distaste and concern this latest attempt, the introduction of a tracking app, that will have us more exposed than ever to those who wish to intrude upon our lives. By all means describe me as a conspiracy theorist. I will continue to subscribe to Sam Goldwyn’s request: “Include me out”.

Michael Price, Mandurah WA

Unless the carriage of mobile phones is compulsory and enforced, I predict that those doing the right thing will take their phone with them while the others will leave their phones at home.

Bernard Kelly, Point Frederick, NSW

There seems to be concern in the community that the government may make it compulsory for the population to download the proposed tracking app to identify people who have come in contact with COVID-19 positive individuals. The government has no power to do this.

To make laws requiring everybody to download this app would be a form of civil conscription beyond its powers. It is the same type of situation that arose with the Australia Card, and which prevented the issuing of that card.

Margaret McKenzie, Wanniassa, ACT