This archive report was first published on 21 May 2020.
On May 20, 2020, Apple and Google announced their collaboration to provide a contact tracing platform to health authorities worldwide, aiming to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
The platform, which uses Exposure Notifications, sends alerts to individuals who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. This technology is not a replacement for traditional contact tracing methods but can contribute to the broader efforts of public health officials.
Apple and Google have released software updates for health authorities to develop their own apps, which will be used to deploy the contact tracing system. Currently, 22 countries have expressed interest in using the platform, with more expected to join in the coming weeks.
However, concerns about data security and personal data protection have led the two tech giants to establish conditions for the use of their technology. These conditions include making the app voluntary, not gathering geolocation data, and not using the data for commercial purposes. Additionally, only one app per country is allowed, and users must declare if they have been infected with the virus.
When the pandemic subsides, the system must be dismantled.
