The application tracks the distance and time spent in close proximity between users. Currently, the settings track when users are closer than two metres apart and spend more than 15 minutes in close proximity.

       However, amid a surge in alerts asking users to isolate, Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said he is considering changing the settings.

       The Department of Health said the app "is, and always has been advisory".

       If the app tracks that the user has been in close contact with Covid - within two metres and for longer than 15 minutes - the user will get an alert to isolate.

       Currently, the application advises people to self-isolate for up to 10 days.

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       The application allows people to anonymously add their test results so if they have tested positive the system will alert people they have been in contact with over the last few days.

       However, there are concerns that the app is too sensitive following the enormous amount of people asked to isolate.

       Last week, 360,000 alerts were sent to people asking them to isolate.

       This is more than a 60 percent rise and the highest weekly figure so far in 2021.

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       The source close to Mr Javid told the BBC: "We are looking at the sensitivity of the app."

       They also noted that the sensitivity had been changed before. However, they were not specific about what could be changed.

       Dr Jenny Harries, the head of the new UK Health Security Agency, told MPs on Thursday that she was "aware that people are choosing not to use the app".

       "We are seeing a rise in cases so this is not an inconvenience, it's actually to alert people to the fact that they have been in close contact and that they may be at risk of being infected themselves and passing that infection on to other people," she said.

       Following the lifting of restrictions on July 19, people will no longer be required to use the application to “check-in” to venues.