Called COVIDSafe, the voluntary app became available for download and registration on Sunday night and has been backed by doctors, nursing, business and banking groups.

The app is based on Singapore’s Tracetogether software, which records the Bluetooth connections a phone makes with others so the user can give that data to state health authorities if they contract the virus.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said as of 6:00 am today, 1.13 million Australians have downloaded the tracing app.

“It is about assisting our disease experts find people who might have been exposed and we are well ahead of our best hopes and expectations already,” Hunt said of the figure.

“The more that are able to do this, as many as possible is our real goal, then that just protects people, it assists with what we’re doing with our borders, our testing, our contact tracing.”

However, many Australians have expressed concerns over the app, claiming it’s a violation of privacy.

Many people have called for the source code for the tracing app to be released.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has insisted she will not be downloading the app, saying she didn’t want to be “tracked”.

“I don’t want them tracking me,” she said.

“I don’t trust the government.

“Why the hell would I let the government download my information?”

The Australian privacy commissioner, Angelene Falk, has confirmed safeguards have been put in place to ensure any information gathered is just used for public health reasons:

 “My office has worked constructively to provide advice and guidance to Government as it considered the privacy issues through its Privacy Impact Assessment,” she said.

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) will have independent oversight of personal information handling by the app and the National COVIDSafe Data Store.

“My office will watch the implementation of the contact tracing app closely,” Commissioner Falk said.

“We can audit the system and investigate complaints from the public about privacy issues.

“We will also closely review the legislation that is intended to be introduced and monitor the implementation of the Privacy Impact Assessment recommendations.”

While the app is not compulsory, it’s believed to be a step towards lifting social distancing measures and stamping out coronavirus in Australia.

As of this morning, 6713 Australians have been diagnosed with COVID-19, including 10 new cases overnight.

The national death toll stands at 83.

Here’s some more information on the app:

How does it work?

The app requires Bluetooth access on your smartphone.

Like when your phone seeks out your car Bluetooth or your headphone, your phone once you open the app, will seek out other phones which have the app installed.

Your phone will find other phones with the app.

If you stay in contact with that another phone with the app for 15 minutes within 1.5 metres, your phone will keep a record of that contact.

The records being kept are stored on your own phone in encrypted storage.

You can’t see the list, and nobody else can access the list.

If, and only if you test positive to COVID-19, your State Health department will ask if you have the app, and if you are willing to provide the contact tracing data.

Though a secure process, that health official will unlock the data storage, which will upload the data from your phone, into a secure data store located within Australia that only that Health department

Only the Health officials in your state can then access that data to begin contacting people with whom you have been in contact with, to encourage them to be tested for COVID-19.

Can law enforcement or the government access my data?

No law enforcement official or anyone in federal government can see your data.

The data is stored on your phone, and only if you test positive does it sit in a location for Health officials to access.

Additionally, the Attorney General has put in place restrictions on secondary uses of the data.

If you test positive, and the health department have your contact tracing list available, there is no opportunity for law enforcement or any legal process to make the information available for any other purpose, even criminal investigation.

Does the app track my location?

No. The app will use your phone’s Bluetooth to determine if you’re near someone. The app does not know where you are at that point, nor is it able to record any location or GPS information.

Where can I download it?

Apple iPhones: go to the App Store.

Android phones: head to the Google Play app.