DTA releases latest COVIDSafe update

The Digital Transformation Agency has pushed out the latest update to the COVIDSafe contact tracing app, adding even more security and accessibility enhancements.

The latest update introduces new mechanisms within the app’s Bluetooth contact tracing protocol to enhance the protection and anonymity of users.

This includes an extra layer of encryption for the digital Bluetooth handshake between devices, as well as the removal of Android device names.

On the accessibility side, the new update also improves accessibility for users who rely on text-to-speech technology, including better descriptions of fields within the app and recognition of back arrows.

These latest enhancements were informed by software developers, researchers and other members of the community, who have been granted access to the source code of the app through the public GitHub repository.

The DTA has now updated the source code available through the repository in line with the new release, and expects to release the next update to the app in June.

The agency said it will continue to work on the app based on feedback from the technology community, as well as end users and internal reviews.

Updates to COVIDSafe are being released at a rapid pace due to the DTA’s agile development approach. The last update was released less than two weeks ago. This update also incorporated security and accessibility enhancements.

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