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Coronavirus

Google Accused Of ‘Force-installing’ COVID Tracking App On Phones

“Force-installed with no authorization or approval. App is hidden on the device to prevent uninstallation.”

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Americans in the state of Massachusetts with Android phones have accused Google of installing a COVID tracking app automatically without user consent.

People reported that the ‘MassNotify’ app appeared on their phones mysteriously without them opting in to the feature.

The app tracks people’s movements and issues notification alerts if a possible exposure to COVID-19 happens.

Writing in the review section of the Google Play app store, one user noted that the app “Automatically installed without consent. It has no icon, no way to open this and see what it even does, which is a huge red flag… I think it’s spyware, phishing as the DPH (Department of Public Health).”

Another wrote “Force-installed with no authorization or approval. App is hidden on the device to prevent uninstallation. Government overreach and corporate complicity should never be tolerated.” 

Another person described the app as an “unethical breach of privacy and a forceful misappropriation of personal property,” adding, “The degree to which my data is collected or distributed through it has not been disclosed neither in active nor inactive form… I can only conclude and caution others that it is disclosing your whereabouts and social contacts without permission.”

Many complained that the app had ‘force installed’ on their phones

Google issued a statement to 9to5Google, which does not addressing the claims that the app stealth installed on phones.

The statement reads:

We have been working with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to allow users to activate the Exposure Notifications System directly from their Android phone settings. This functionality is built into the device settings and is automatically distributed by the Google Play Store, so users don’t have to download a separate app. COVID-19 Exposure Notifications are enabled only if a user proactively turns it on. Users decide whether to enable this functionality and whether to share information through the system to help warn others of possible exposure.

ARS Techinca notes that there are two different versions of the Mass Notify app on the Play store, and that one only has around 1000 installs and no complaints that it auto-installed, where as the other has been slammed by people claiming they didn’t ask for it to appear on their phones and has over a MILLION installs. That is odd because only 6.8 million live in the State, and if 50% of them have Android phones (which they don’t) then around a third have supposedly downloaded the app themselves.

“Did they roll this out to every device in Massachusetts?” ARS Technica questions.

The report notes “Both apps are listed under the ‘MA Department of Public Health’ developer account, which—uh—does not exist? The link for the developer just 404s, which really does not inspire confidence in the app’s legitimacy.”

Others reported that the auto-installed version of MassNotify does not actually have app icon or a public health statistics UI, and only appears in the phone’s system settings under the title “Massachusetts Department of Heath.”

At best the rollout can be described as odd, and at worst a creepy attempt to stealthily track the movements of everyday Americans.

As we have previously noted, COVID tracking apps have been used by the State in China as an excuse to ramp up surveillance, in combination with the onerous social credit score system. There are signs that this system is being adopted by Western governments as a method of further controlling their populations.

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Coronavirus

Maryland School Implements New Mask Mandate

As Biden masks up in front of the press

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Steve Watson

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An elementary school in Maryland has reinstated mandatory mask requirements, as Joe Biden appeared in front of the press wearing a face covering Tuesday.

Rosemary Hills Elementary School in Silver Spring, a wealthy DC suburb, has brought back the mask mandate for students and staff, and added that the coverings should be N95 masks.

The school sent out a letter informing parents they have taken the decision after just THREE students tested positive for COVID.

“Additional KN95 masks have been distributed and students and staff in identified classes or activities will be required to mask while in school for the next 10 days, except while eating or drinking. Masks will become options again following the 10-day period,” the letter states.

We’ve heard that one before.

“At-home rapid test kids will be sent home and made available for students,” Principal Irwin Kennedy further notes, adding that CDC guidance decrees that testing should be done “5 days after an exposure (starting day 6)” or at such time as symptoms occur.

“We will continue to reinforce good hand washing and follow cleaning and disinfection procedures,” the letter further states.

The move comes as Joe Biden donned a face diaper as he arrived at a White House gathering, before removing it altogether.

The White House says Biden will wear the mask after his multiple time vaxxed and boosted wife contracted COVID again.

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    Trump Lockdown Tyrant Does 180, Says No New Mask Mandates

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    When COVID-19 broker out, Dr. Deborah Birx, a former military AIDS researcher with no training, experience, or publications in epidemiology or public health policy, found herself leading a White House Task Force which would play a seminal role in dictating how the country locked down for the pandemic.

    In March of 2020, Birx and Dr. Anthony Fauci were grinning like Cheshire Cats with Duper’s Delight as they laid out an unprecedented lockdown and masking strategy which Birx later admitted they pulled out of their asses.

    Now that we’re revisiting mask mandates over the latest Covid-19 surge, Birx and Fauci are seemingly on different sides of the debate.

    We don’t need to mandate,” Birx told Newsmax on Saturday, in response to reports that an increasing number of hospitals and businesses are now requiring masks again.

    We need to actually empower people with the information that they need for themselves and their families because every family is different,” she continued. “And by the way, outside is safe, and playgrounds are safe.”

    Meanwhile Fauci – the guy who was funding risky bat coronavirus research in Wuhan, China and was then put in charge of the Coronavirus response in which he had scientists scramble to create and bolster propaganda denying a lab leak – went on CNN to push for mask mandates, claiming “there have been many studies indicate the benefit of wearing masks.”

    Yet, Anchor Michael Smerconish brought up the Cochrane review of masks, one of umpteen studies that have all found that the face coverings do little to nothing against COVID transmission (via Summit News).

    “When you’re talking about the effect on the epidemic or the pandemic as a whole, the data are less strong,” Fauci said, sqirming. “There are other studies, Michael, that show at an individual level, for individuals they might be protective.”

    Sure Tony…

    This post was originally published at Zero Hedge

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    Coronavirus

    Video: Fauci Squirms As CNN Anchor Confronts Him With Data Showing Masks Don’t Work

    “There are other studies”

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    Steve Watson

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    Anthony Fauci refused to back away from the recommendation of face masks Saturday as CNN (of all networks) confronted him with a study showing that they have no effect on preventing the spread of COVID.

    After Fauci claimed “there have been many studies indicate the benefit of wearing masks,” Anchor Michael Smerconish brought up the Cochrane review of masks, one of umpteen studies that have all found that the face coverings do little to nothing against COVID transmission.

    “When you’re talking about the effect on the epidemic or the pandemic as a whole, the data are less strong,” Fauci squirmingly admitted, but then went on to suggest people should still wear them anyway.

    “There are other studies, Michael, that show at an individual level, for individuals they might be protective,” Fauci claimed.

    Senator Rand Paul blasted Fauci for spreading “more subterfuge”:

    Others chimed in:

    Elsewhere during the interview Fauci said he hopes people will comply with wearing masks again, while stating “we’re not talking there’s forcing anybody to do anything.”

    He continued, “We’re not talking about mandates or forcing anybody but when you have a situation where the volume of cases in society gets to a reasonably high level, particularly the vulnerable, those who are elderly, and those with underlying conditions are going to be more susceptible and vulnerable if they do get infected to get severe disease leading to hospitalization.”

    “I would hope that if in fact we get to the point where the volume of cases is such an organization’s like the CDC recommend, CDC doesn’t mandate anything, I mean, recommends that people wear masks, I would hope that they abide by the recommendation and take into account the risk to themselves and to their families,” Fauci further stated.

    He continued, “People keep thinking that the federal government is going to mandate that you wear a mask, that’s not going to happen,” he said. “But there may be individual institutions, organizations that are going to say, if you want to come to work, you’ve got to wear a mask.”

    Here is the full interview:

    As we have highlighted, there is a creeping attempt to bring back masking and COVID restrictions despite no large bounce in cases and the fact that they just don’t work.

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