Regional Victorian MPs have expressed differing opinions about whether or not they'll be downloading and using the government's proposed coronavirus tracking app.
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Federal member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters says the Labor Party has sought reassurances from the government concerning privacy and consent.
"Scott Morrison needs to explain why this app is necessary for communities like Greater Bendigo where only nine people have been diagnosed with coronavirus," Ms Chesters said.
The Nationals' Federal member for Nicholls Damien Drum says he is very relaxed about the app and hopes it is available soon.
"Once the app is out I will certainty be downloading it and I will be encouraging people in my electorate to download it," Mr Drum said.
The app and the data it collects is expected to expedite contact tracing in the event of a positive coronavirus case in the community.
Functioning as a proximity detector, the app reportedly triggers the collection of data when two people are within 1.5 metres of each other for a period of more than 15 minutes.
In each instance this occurs, both devices, if the app is downloaded on them, will swap an encrypted package containing the mobile number, name, age range and postcode.
Data is stored on a person's phone in an encrypted format for a rolling 21 days.
When data collection reaches the 22nd day, the first day will be deleted and this process continues.
Ms Chesters says it isn't fair to say whether or not she will download and use the app until answers to the Opposition's questions have been received.
"Local residents are asking questions about the privacy implications of this app," Ms Chesters said.
"They want to know who is going to obtain access to this data and when the tracking will end."
Minister for Government Services Stuart Robert says app data that is uploaded would not be accessible by federal government agencies.
Mr Robert also says a number of significant measures would be put in place to protect the data.
Mr Drum says he respects people who have concerns about privacy, but that downloading the app is not mandatory.
"We are simply appealing to those people who feel as though they have nothing to hide, like myself, who don't really care if the state knows where they are and what they are doing," Mr Drum said.
"I have no fear about privacy, but I respect the views of those that do."
The Federal Government says it plans to publicly release the source code of the app.
