Apple and Google’s COVID-19 tool is now available for health authorities — the API
Last month, Apple and Google announced a surprise partnership to launch a system for tracking COVID-19 with users smartphones. And has since given update after updates to ensure the tool does not tamper heavily with users privacy.
The first phase of the contact-tracing tool dropped on Wednesday and the companies called it Exposure Notification API, which will help health authorities develop apps that will notify users that come in contact with someone who’s tested positive for COVID-19. It will also allow users that have the app installed (when it’s out) to update their status if they test positive, which will then allow the iOS and Android system to notify other users who’ve come in contact with the said person.
Although some governments and organisations have criticised the system because it doesn’t allow health authorities to keep users data and track where the virus is spreading, rather it notifies users if they have been exposed. This helps Apple and Google cement their privacy claims and will not allow users data to be stored on government servers. According to Bloomberg, Apple and Google made several changes to the system on Wednesday after getting feedback from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, local health authorities and other experts. One of the change will allow public health authorities to contact exposed users “based on a combination of the API and data that users voluntarily chose to input into the app.”
The companies are also allowing other options for collecting users information like ZIP codes and user phone numbers and will only be shared if users allow them. Public health authorities will also be able to set a value for exposure on how long an individual was with another or how close they stayed together using the apps.
Android users with version 6.0 or later will get the system that will be downloaded through PlayStore and for iOS users, the new iOS 13.5 update is required and must have the iPhone 7 or later, which gives a hint that the iPhone 6S will not get the upcoming iOS 14 update.
