Across the world health authorities and governments are working to find a cure. Now with software development companies like Apple and Google coming together the chances to reduce the spread of the virus have increased.
Apple and Google are developing a new contact tracing app that will help track novel, coronavirus victims. Using this tracing system person will be notified about coming in contact with a COVID-19 positive. This will help them to stay informed, take precautions and visit the doctor in time.
Certainly, this is a great initiative but we should not forget, technology alone cannot efficiently track down and detect infected people. To make it a successful public health care worker, and other tools will be required.
Tweets about the app from CEO’s
To help public health officials slow the spread of #COVID19, Google & @Apple are working on a contact tracing approach designed with strong controls and protections for user privacy. @tim_cook and I are committed to working together on these efforts.https://t.co/T0j88YBcFu
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) April 10, 2020
Contact tracing can help slow the spread of COVID-19 and can be done without compromising user privacy. We’re working with @sundarpichai & @Google to help health officials harness Bluetooth technology in a way that also respects transparency & consent. https://t.co/94XlbmaGZV
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 10, 2020
What Is The Collaboration For?
As we all know when we come near a coronavirus patient, the chances of the virus being transmitted increase. To help contain its spread Apple and Google have decided to build contact tracing apps. This app will include application programming interfaces (APIs) and operating system level technology to enable and aid contact tracing apps.
The API with the help of Bluetooth radio that has a range of about 30 feet will keep a track of smartphone users and will notify if the person has come in contact with a COVID-19 positive.
How Will The App Work?
To keep track of people coming in contact, the app will use Bluetooth technology. This means when two people will meet, their phones will share identification. Using this data people tracking will be done. If any of the people are found COVID-19 infected the same system will alert others who have come in contact with that person.
The app will be launched in two phases:
- The first launch might take place somewhere in mid-May.
- The second launch will take place somewhere in June and during this time as per Apple and Google without installing the app user will be able to enable to contact tracing app.
img src: Google
Since Android has a different ecosystem the company will make the framework available to all devices running Android 6.0 or higher.
What About Data Privacy And Security?
Tech giants understand user privacy is important therefore, user’s names or any other data disclosing personal information will not be disclosed. Also, the app doesn’t collect location information. You will only get notified of coming in contact with a COVI-19 but the name of the person will not be revealed.
This is great. We need more apps like this and companies coming forward. It’s our collective effort that will help fight coronavirus. If you have any suggestions to share do let us know by leaving a comment in the section below.
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