The fact many Canadians don't trust the Liberal government is one of the reasons a COVID-19 alert app failed, says a Department of Health report..Blacklock's Reporter says the $20-million program was disbanded last Friday..“Trust in government is clearly an issue,” said the report, citing unspecified in-house polling data..“When asked if they believe the government does not collect their personal information and that it does not allow the Government of Canada to determine their location, more than half of survey respondents (52%) did not believe the government.”.“In another study, Canadians who indicated they had not downloaded the app cited ‘not trusting the privacy of the app or the government’ (34%) and not wanting government to access location data (29%) among the top three reasons for not downloading the app,” said the report..“A number of internal and external key informants also reported there are certain segments of the population who do not trust the government and will not download the app,” wrote staff..Cabinet announced the COVID-19 app program June 18, 2020. Smartphone users who tested positive were asked to upload the information using a key code to trigger alerts to other smartphone users with whom they had contact..“Health experts say if enough people sign up, this app can help prevent future outbreaks of Covid-19 in Canada,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters at the time..“If we can talk about a 50% uptake for example, or more, then it becomes extraordinarily useful.”.But figures showed only 21% of mobile account holders subscribed to the free app, about 6.9 million of 33 million Canadians. Fewer than 2% of people who tested positive for COVID-19 used the app to send alerts..The health department report noted the Prime Minister’s personal endorsement appeared to have little impact..“Justin Trudeau announced publicly the COVID app did not collect personal information,” wrote auditors..“He also stated he downloaded the app and encouraged others to do so.”.“Although the app strictly adhered to privacy principles and was seen by many internal and external key informants as one of its key strengths, Canadians’ privacy concerns and distrust of the government potentially collecting personal or location information through the app was also seen as one of its biggest challenges.".Dr. Theresa Tam, chief public health officer, told reporters June 17 the program was not successful..“The app was not being utilized to a huge extent,” she said..It was “a good go” that did not work, said Tam. “Not all innovations [...] work.”
