Digital minister’s app a ‘comedy of errors’

THE digital and culture minister has created an app that is accused of breaching users’ data protection.

Matt Hancock MP hoped that his creation – named after himself – would enable him to engage with constituents. Issues arose on the first day of the app’s life due to a loose moderation policy, with some users posing as Boris Johnson, Theresa May and Mr Hancock, and others even posting pornography.

Apple device users can only view the app’s privacy policy once they have downloaded it and their data has already been taken. This appears to breach the firm’s security guidance.

Apple users also found that even if they chose an option preventing the app from accessing their photographs, they could still post images. Silkie Carlo, director of Big Brother Watch, told Wired: “The Matt Hancock app is a fascinating comedy of errors.”

Mr Hancock replied to criticism by tweeting: “Thanks for all the interest in my app.” The MP is responsible for the forthcoming Data Protection Bill, which brings the EU’S General Data Protection Regulation into UK law.

There are some very useful apps you can put on your mobile. One tells you the next good point in a film you are watching, so you can go to the loo without missing something important. Another, called Carrr Matey, reminds you where you have parked your car and, as a bonus, does so in a pirate voice. But until yesterday the world had not realised it needed an app called Matt Hancock MP. It is the idea of Matt Hancock MP. What does it do? It gives news of what the Culture Secretary, Matt Hancock MP, has been doing and gives constituents a chance to exchange views. It is a sort of Matt Hancock-sized Facebook or Twitter – a social medium. One trouble is that some users defy the rules and register in the name of Boris Johnson or Theresa May, a childish jape. But no doubt the first MP to install a telephone had trouble too.