One way to trace the spread of COVID-19 across a population is thru contact tracing. Apple and Google today announced a joint effort that leverages Bluetooth on Android & iOS to help governments and health agencies reduce the spread of virus.
The two companies are launching a “comprehensive solution” for contract tracing that encompasses “application programming interfaces (APIs) and operating system-level technology to help in enabling contact tracing.”
Based on these upcoming tools, governments are going to be ready to build COVID-19 contact tracing apps that employment across Apple and Google devices. When two people are in close-range, their phones will exchange anonymous identifiers. If a private gets diagnosed , they will have their device transmit an inventory of everybody they’ve been in touch with to the cloud.
Meanwhile, the second person’s phone will periodically download an inventory of everyone that has tested positive in their area. If a match occurs, they’re going to be notified and prompted to contact health authorities.
These APIs are going to be available by May, and people official apps from public health agencies are often download through Google Play and the App Store.
A effort is concentrated on creating a broader Bluetooth-based contact tracing platform by building this functionality into the underlying platforms. Third-party apps will not be required, with contact tracing built into Android and iOS directly.
Both companies in joint handout this morning are heavily focused on the privacy angle. Key points include:
- Explicit user consent required
- Doesn’t collect personally identifiable information or user location data
- List of individuals you’ve been in touch with never leaves your phone
- people that test positive aren’t identified to other users, Google, or Apple
- Will only be used for contact tracing by public health authorities for COVID-19 pandemic management
Apple and Google today released draft about the Bluetooth and cryptography specifications and framework needed for COVID-19 contact tracing:
- Privacy-safe contact tracing using Bluetooth Low Energy
- Contact Tracing Bluetooth Specification
- Contact Tracing Cryptography Specification
