‘Embarrassing Bodies’ Doctor Christian Jensen is the leading calls to have a prank HIV test banned.
The phone app, which is available through the Google Play store for Android phones, purports to deliver a preliminary HIV test through a fingerprint scan on a phone.
The program then suggests to the user that the HIV virus has been detected and suggests that they will now need to obtain a blood test.
The company who created the app described it as a prank which is a great way to fool your family and friends and have a great moment together.
Dr Jensen told Pink News he was horrified by the existence of the app and the magnitude of stupidity involved in its creation had left him lost for words.
“These apps are beyond ignorant. Not only is there no such thing as an ‘AIDS test’ (AIDS also being an outdated term) but to think that such a serious condition that so many people, including myself, have worked so hard to raise awareness of, demystify and destigmatise could be thought a suitable subject for so tasteless and inappropriate a joke (and I use the term joke reluctantly) is astounding.” Dr Jensen said.
For correct information about HIV and taking a test visit the WA AIDS Council.
