bloomberg | The technology, known as contact-tracing, is designed to curb the
spread of the novel coronavirus by telling users they should quarantine
or isolate themselves after contact with an infected individual.
The Silicon Valley rivals said on Friday
that they are building the technology into their iOS and Android
operating systems in two steps. In mid-May, the companies will add the
ability for iPhones and Android phones to wirelessly exchange anonymous
information via apps run by public health authorities. The companies
will also release frameworks for public health apps to manage the
functionality.
This means that if a user tests positive for Covid-19, and adds that
data to their public health app, users who they came into close
proximity with over the previous several days will be notified of their
contact. This period could be 14 days, but health agencies can set the
time range.
The second step takes longer. In the coming months, both companies
will add the technology directly into their operating systems so this
contact-tracing software works without having to download an app. Users
must opt in, but this approach means many more people can be included.
Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android have about 3 billion users between
them, over a third of the world’s population.
The pandemic has killed more than 100,000 and infected 1.63 million people. Governments have ordered millions to stay home, sending the global economy into a vicious tailspin. Pressure is building to relax these measures
and get the world back to work. Contact-tracing is a key part of this
because it can help authorities contain a potential resurgence of the
virus as people resume regular activities.
