Pauline Hanson clashes with Karl Stefanovic on Today
Pauline Hanson and Karl Stefanovic have clashed over the Federal Government’s new coronavirus tracing app during a heated segment on the Today show.
The COVIDSafe app, which is now live, is designed to help authorities track people who may have come across an infected person, but so far, it’s been proven controversial, sparking privacy and security concerns.
Using Bluetooth technology, COVIDSafe keeps a list of other users you’re been within 1.5m of more than 15 minutes.
Over one million Aussies have downloaded the app so far, but others are hesitant, including Hanson citing mistrust in the government.
When questioned about her stance by Stefanovic this morning, Hanson was blunt.
“I don’t want them tracking me. I don’t trust the Government,” she said, before citing the data retention laws of 2015 and claiming this latest app would also wind up passing personal information into the hands of other companies.
“Why the hell would I let the Government give it to them personally to download my information?” Senator Hanson questioned, causing Stefanovic to fire back with a reminder about civic duty.
“You have a responsibility to the Australian people if we want to try and control this COVID-19 and we want to try to track people,” he told her.
But Hanson was adamant that she hadn’t been in contact with anyone who was infected.
“I have a responsibility to myself first and foremost. I know damn well that I haven't been around people,” she insisted.
“I've been self-isolating. I haven't got the COVID-19, besides when you have only a few cases in the blasted country and they lockdown the whole bloody country still and they want to put this app on your phone when we're on very much on the decrease … Come on, Karl. I don’t trust them.”
A laughing Stefanovic then joked that anyone tracking his movements would likely find them underwhelming.
“They’re going to track me – let me tell you where I go. I go to work. I go home. I go to Woolies. I go home. I go to work. I go home … That’s my whole life,” he admitted.