Machibet777 APPGov ditch contact tracing app to work with Google & Apple - but theirs isn't good enough either | The Sun - Mcb777 Cricket

MATT Hancock today announced the NHS will ditch its current version of its crucial contact tracing app - but that Google and Apple's doesn't work properly either.

The Department for Health confirmed the revelations from The Sun this afternoon, saying the app had run into challenges during its trial.

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The NHS app will be ditched in the form its in currently in

Matt Hancock said both apps had problems

He announced that the current centralised version developed by the NHS will be merged with a separate platform developed by Apple and Google, because neither work properly.

And he refused to put a date on when it could be ready, saying "as soon as we can".

Mr Hancock said tonight: "Our app works well on Android, but Apple software prevents it being used effectively for contact tracing unless you’re using Apple’s own technology.

"After we started work on our app, Google and Apple started working on their own product.

"Our app wont work because Apple wont change their system, but it can measure distance.

"And their app cant measure distance well enough to a standard that we are satisfied with.

He vowed to work with anyone, saying: "For me, what matter is what works."

He insisted it was the right thing to work on both fronts, adding: "we backed both horses" - even though neither was ready to go out.

The app works by using Bluetooth to log when another user’s smartphone has been in close proximity.

If a person develops Covid-19 symptoms, they can report their symptoms to the app and immediately organise a test.

Once they are confirmed as a positive case, the tech automatically sends out an anonymous alert to other users they may have infected, urging them to self-isolate – thus stopping further spread.

But widespread testing of the NHSX app on the Isle of Wight found it was poor at recognising other nearby phones.

It only identified four per cent of iPhones handsets and 75 per cent of Android devices.

By contrast, the Apple/Google model spotted 99 per cent of smartphones that were close by.

The Department of Health said they would be focussing on finding a solution "that brings together the work on our app and the Google/Apple solution".

Officials confirmed the app is not being rolled out in its current form as it is failing to prove effective.

Officials say they are confident they will have "something that's absolutely fit for purpose for the autumn/winter" that will be ready for the flu season.

Matthew Gould - the man put in charge of spearheading the app - has been booted off the project amid the ongoing delays, sources said.

He will be replaced by Simon Thompson, chief product officer at Ocado who previously spent almost two years at Apple.

Matt Hancock will announce changes to the app tonightCredit: AFP

Incorporating the Apple and Google technology will put England and Wales in line with most other European countries, which will make it easier for Brits to travel to the continent as they will already have the same app needed to flag up new outbreaks.

France is the only other country that had shunned the Apple and Google app to date and the country is expected to make the shift too.

The uniform approach will help prevent new arrivals to the UK spreading the virus here as they will have the same technology.

Health ministers from around Europe held a virtual meeting today to agree to shift to the Apple/Google app.

But the shift threatens to delay the lifting of lockdown restrictions as the app is key to chasing down new coronavirus cases and identifying the source of outbreaks.

The app had been seen as key in the drive to chase down local flare-ups of the virus and impose ‘whack-a-mole’ lockdown measures to stop it spreading.