COVIDSafe app used for the first time in Victoria to trace coronavirus contacts

The COVIDSafe app has been used for the first time, with Victorian health authorities accessing a coronavirus patient's app data to trace contacts.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), a person diagnosed with COVID-19 on Monday had downloaded the app on their phone, allowing health officials to use the app's data.

The smartphone app uses Bluetooth to detect when users have been near other smartphones with the app to help track down others who may have been exposed to the virus.

A DHHS spokesperson said the patient consented to health authorities using the data on their phone to enable contact tracing.

"Access is strictly limited to trained public health officers carrying out contact tracing functions," the spokesperson said.

"Victoria has legislated privacy obligations when handling citizens' private data or health data and these obligations will be adhered to.

"With only a small number of cases in Victoria, there have been few opportunities to use the app so far."

The Victorian patient is the first publicly announced use of the app, as whether it has been used elsewhere in the country is unclear.

The app exchanges encrypted details upon detection of another user, including the name, age range, phone number, postcode and date and time of the contact.

That data is then stored on a person's phone for up to 21 days.

It is not known whether other app users were in close proximity to the infected patient.