It hasn't yet been available a full day, but by this morning, well over a million Australians had downloaded COVIDSafe, the government app designed to facilitate contact tracing of coronavirus infections.
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So what do Southern Tableland and Highland residents think? Are they enthusiastic or cautious about the Health Department's strategy to track COVID-19 infections?
Early respondents to our question on Facebook this morning indicated that most were on board.
READ ALSO: One million Aussies download COVIDSafe app
"Great idea," said Karen James, of Goulburn. "It's just a more efficient way of contact tracing...If people are honest and use it properly."
"It is only a name and phone number," added Lynette Brown. "If you were near someone who caught it, wouldn't you want to know, to protect your loved ones? You can use a false name if you wish."
In Bowral, Kathy Pritchard pointed out that any time we have our Bluetooth or location switched on, we are vulnerable to hackers and third parties accessing our information.
"There are other apps that have access to your information more than this app," she said. "Every time we shop online, do our banking etc etc we leave ourselves open.
Some expressed scepticism of the privacy policy, worried that the government would be able to track their whereabouts even if they did not download the app, merely by being on contact with people who had.
But the app only uses your phone's Bluetooth signal to connect with other users of the app. Turning off your Bluetooth or not downloading and registering for the app is enough to prevent any tracking.
READ ALSO: Today's COVID-19 update
Also, the app's privacy policy states that "no location data will be connected at any time." It records only that you have been in reasonably close proximity to another user, not where.
Users can, in fact, use a false name if they want to further protect their privacy.
Others were concerned about those without smart phones, who would not be able to take advantage of the service.
Diana Varcoe Hurst, of Bowral, said, "This government think we all have smart phones? Not all of us do. That this is being touted as safe and that we should trust the running of it makes me say no to signing up."
But Goulburn Post follower Stephen Horne said that, due to the enormous number of mobile phone users in the country, this was the best possible tool.
"It's known exactly how many mobile phones there are, and because there are so many it's the best method available," he said. "In any case, the best safety precaution is to stay home as much as possible. You're probably doing that already, so then the phone app isn't necessary anyway."
The registration process explains the privacy and security provisions. Users can delete the app at any time. Go to the app store on your phone to find out more.
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