Apple and Google adding new features for public health developers to build contact-tracing apps
"Apple and Google are also adding new features for public health developers to build contact-tracing apps."
Apple Inc and Google said they are putting stronger privacy protections in their upcoming contact-tracing tool for Covid-19 and that an early version will launch for developers next week.
The companies said the system’s tracking keys — a string of characters linked to a user’s device — will be generated in more random ways, and that Bluetooth data will now be encrypted, making it more difficult for individuals to be identified by hackers. Apps using the tool will also now limit the recording of the time people are exposed to an infected person to a maximum of 30 minutes.
Also Read: APPLE AND GOOGLE PARTNER ON CONTACT TRACING TECH VIA APIS, BLUETOOTH
The system unveiled two weeks ago, will add technology to the iOS and Android operating systems that alert users if they have come into contact with a person with Covid-19. The companies are now calling the technology Exposure Notification, a term they said more accurately describes the functionality.
The first phase — tools for public health apps to add contact tracing — will launch publicly in mid-May after an early beta version of the software is released to developers next week. In the coming months, the technology will be embedded more deeply into the Apple and Google operating systems to be less reliant on apps.
The companies also explained that if a person inputs that they have tested positive for Covid-19 into the system, they will be added to a positive diagnosis list so the system can notify other people they have come into contact with. They reiterated that the system doesn’t reveal a user’s identity or location to Apple or Google.
The companies are also adding new features for public health developers to build contact-tracing apps. The system will give apps data on the strength of Bluetooth signals so the distance between devices can be more accurately estimated. Developers will also be able to specify distance and time to determine what constitutes Covid-19 exposure for their apps. The tool will also determine how many days since a person has been exposed.
Apple said that the software update to enable the system will work on devices released in the last four years. Google said the tool will work with Android 6.0 or higher, which covers about 2 billion gadgets.
Also Read:
APPLE LAUNCH COVID-19 SELF-SCREENING APP & WEBSITE | HOW TO USE
TDO NEPAL LAUNCH COVID-19 SELF-SCREENING APP & WEBSITE
HOW TO FIX SLOW INTERNET CONNECTION?
HOW TO STAY SAFE WHEN TRAVELLING BY CAR DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
JACK MA FOUNDATION PUBLISHES HANDBOOK, SHARES CHINA’S EXPERIENCE IN BATTLING COVID-19
NAMECHEAP BLOCKS DOMAIN REGISTRATION WITH NAMES ‘CORONAVIRUS’, 'COVID' AND ‘VACCINE’
COVID-19 CTI LEAGUE: CYBER-SECURITY EXPERTS COME TOGETHER TO FIGHT CORONAVIRUS RELATED HACKING
Rishi Raj Singh
