Apple Inc.and Google said their upcoming tool contact tracingto combat 19- will be limited to just one “public health app” (an app created by public health authorities) per country to ensure the tool is used by as many people as possible.
The two companies also released some app concepts and sample code to help app developers build programs using the iOS and Android contact tracing tool. In a statement on Monday, Apple and Google said they would continue to support countries that have “chosen a regional or state-level approach.”
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The system, first introduced in April, adds technology to iOS and Android smartphone operating systems that alerts users if they have been in contact with a person with Covid-19. The first phase will begin publicly in mid-May. Public health apps will be required to integrate this tool. In the future, the technology will be integrated more deeply into Apple and Google’s operating systems to make it less dependent on apps .
Company representatives also explained why they decided to create the tool, now known as Exposure Notification. They said governments were trying to create their own apps, but turned to Apple and Google for help.
The companies also stressed that apps using the technology must be created by public health authorities, ask for consent user, collect only necessary data (and nothing more), and not record a user's location.
