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The next release of COVIDSafe is live
The next release of COVIDSafe is live
14 May 2020
Tags:
Security (/taxonomy/term/14) Content design (/taxonomy/term/52)
COVID-19 (/taxonomy/term/413) COVIDSafe (/taxonomy/term/419)
The COVIDSafe app update improves Bluetooth performance, strengthens security, and
improves user experience and accessibility, based on feedback from users and the tech
community.
Today we released the next update to the COVIDSafe application. This is the second update to
COVIDSafe, providing a set of enhancements to the app.
Like all apps, we will continue to update COVIDSafe in the period ahead. We are already
working on the next release.
You can access the latest release via your phone’s App Store.
Details of today’s release
Better Bluetooth performance
We are continuing make iterative improvements to enhance COVIDSafe’s Bluetooth
performance.
Today’s update includes new code from the United Kingdom Government’s National Health
Service app (NHSX) that improves the COVIDSafe app’s Bluetooth performance on iOS devices,
including when the device is locked.
We continue to work with Apple and Google on further enhancements that will improve
COVIDSafe’s performance.
Stronger security
Strengthening the security of the application and protecting the privacy of Australians is
paramount.
We have introduced improvements to the security and stability of the app, including guidance
about Bluetooth pairing to inform individuals in making decisions about their own privacy. We
have also included improvements that further strengthen security for Android users.
Improved user experience and accessibility
We would like as many Australians as possible to choose to download and use COVIDSafe. The
user experience and accessibility improvements in this update will support a wider range of
people being able to use the app.
This release also addressed some accessibility issues, including VoiceOver functionality. We
have improved recognition of buttons, headings and checkboxes.
We have also improved the contrast between the text and background, making it easier for
people to read.
Working with the community to enhance COVIDSafe
On Friday 8 May, the DTA publicly released the source code for the COVIDSafe app. Any
member of the public can view the source code, which is hosted on a
GitHub repository
(https://covidsafe.gov.au/app-code-terms-and-conditions.html).
We are also looking at how we can improve the release of the code in the period ahead. For a
start, we are seeking to accelerate the release of the updated source code on the GitHub
repository (https://covidsafe.gov.au/app-code-terms-and-conditions.html) within a few days of
release.
We encourage users and members of the tech community to review the source code and
provide us feedback about possible issues. Please email us at
xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
(mailto:xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx).
While we are not able to reply to every individual who provides feedback, all feedback is being
reviewed and triaged. In some instances, we may contact people who provide feedback to
better understand the issues raised.
Visit the COVIDSafe (https://www.covidsafe.gov.au/) website for more information or to
access the source code for the COVIDSafe application.
For media enquiries email us at xxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx (mailto:xxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx)
For other enquiries email us at
xxxx@xxx.xxx.xx (mailto:xxxx@xxx.xxx.xx)
© Commonwealth of Australia. With the exception of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms and
where otherwise noted, this work is licensed under the CC BY 4.0 license.
