Source: Privacy Commissioner
Privacy Commissioner John Edwards supports the Bluetooth tracing upgrade to the NZ COVID Tracer app because it protects privacy and will help to keep New Zealanders safe from community outbreaks of Covid-19. Mr Edwards says New Zealanders can have confidence they will retain control of the information collected on the NZ COVID Tracer app. The NZ COVID Tracer app uses the Apple and Google Exposure Notification Framework which was developed in accordance with Privacy by Design principles. Apple and Google developed the framework to help governments deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. No personal information is shared with Apple or Google. The privacy safeguards in the apps Bluetooth tracing function means a phone keeps a coded record of other phones with the app which come near it, but it does not collect any identifying information.