More details about the partnership between Apple and Google have been public these past few days, after the announcement of the joint effort to combat COVID-19 last week. This time, the technological giants clarified that the applications that will track users will not be imposed by governments on citizens, the same principle being applied to state entities. The API access for creating apps will be restricted to public health institutions recognized as such.
On April 10, the two technological giants released a press release, publicizing the initiative. The objective is, through the use of Bluetooth technology, "to help governments and health agencies to reduce the spread of the virus", with privacy and security of the user being essential elements, guarantee the companies.
This Monday, and according to Business Insider, Apple and Google gave more details about the partnership in a call with journalists. The representatives of the technological giants clarified that only public health authorities will be able to create the applications, later regulated by the App Store and the Google Play Store.
As initially announced, companies plan to launch the first phase of tracking app solutions by mid-May, through an API for Android and iOS. The second phase involves an update of the operating system, which allows tracking without downloading an independent application. In any case, if a user tests positive for COVID-19 or receives a notification that he was close to someone who contracted the virus, he will need to download the application to send or request more information.
What are the weaknesses of technology?
Tracking apps can take into account the duration of the user's proximity to other people when issuing alerts, in order to reduce false alarms. Thus, the applications warn only when the user is close to a person infected with COVID-19 for a substantial period of time, which will be about five minutes.
