I've built an Android app to provide information about the COVID-19 coronavirus. It is primarily an informational app only and provides direct links to all federal, state and territory health websites and many other useful resources.
The app is available here: COVID19InfoAus.apk
Link to jpg screenshots of the app.
I'm trying to get government approval currently to publish it to the Apple and Google app stores, but in the interim I thought I would release it to the wild here first.
Advertising etc
There is no advertising, no-in app purchases, no data collection, no login requirements and no cost to purchase the app.
Permissions
Permission wise it asks for location, photos, and storage. I ask the development platform (AppyPie) to remove these but was told that location is only to enable geofencing of the app, no data is tracked or collected. I'm not sure why it needs photos and storage, but it was based on the basic options of AppyPie apps to enable functionality (even though I don't use it).
For those concerned (understandably) about permissions, here's more information from the developer platform I used and hopefully addresses why there are permissions required.
Functionality
Currently the app (called COVID-19 Info Australia) is designed to provide Australian users:
- Direct access to health department websites for all federal, state and territory governments.
- Coronavirus health information line phone numbers and translation service, and Healthdirect phone number.
- Direct access to the Australian government developed COVID-19 coronavirus Symptom Checker on Healthdirect.
- Australian government self isolation and quarantine information.
- Direct access to the World Health Organization website for COVID-19 information.
- World Health Organization videos on how to wash hand with soap and water and hand sanitiser, and how and when to wear masks.
- A World Health Organization guide on how to properly wear, use and dispose of masks.
General Info
The app does not compete with or contradict any forms of government apps, websites or information that may exist now or in the future, because all the content is delivered in app directly from the government websites, to always provide accurate, current and authoritative information directly from the respective government departments.
I've never developed an app before, so this is my first go. I've used AppyPie (not a recommendation) for this and have paid for it myself. I wanted the app to be a whole lot more, but limitations of my coding skills and the development software means this is what I've ended up with. I hope you find it useful and if you do, spread the word, not the virus.
I understand the risks associated with installing unknown and unsigned apks, but I figured, whilst I'm waiting (in hope) to get government approval to publish the app to the app stores (I did try but was rejected for not being reasonably sensitive to events), I would offer it to anyone willing to take a chance.
Virus concerns with Unknown APKs
Because of valid concerns about installing random APKs from the internet, I've created a poll, please only vote IF you've scanned the APK.
If you vote in the poll that your AV software reported or quarantined this software, please post a screenshot in the message section below, so I can attend to it. There is NO virus, trojan, malware etc in this app so I'd like proof.
Thanks to Ozzie15 for uploading it to VirusTotal - https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/73e7a11eafe4ffea7bb65857…
Why you need access to my photos, storage and location?