How Apple and Google will 'use' your phone to fight coronavirus: 15 things to know
Almost two weeks back two of the world’s biggest tech companies — Apple and Google — announced that they would work together to help in the fight against coronavirus pandemic.
The two companies announced their plans of helping governments, health agencies across the world with the help of contact tracing, apps among other things. Now, Apple and Google have outlined their plans in detail and addressed one big worry: that of user privacy. Here we list out 15 things that you need to know about how Apple and Google will use your phone to fight coronavirus:
2/16 The two companies intend to use the power of Bluetooth to help in contact tracing
Apps made by governments/public health authorities to be available by May
3 / 16
Apps made by governments/public health authorities to be available by May
Apple and Google will release application programming interfaces (APIs) that allow contact tracing apps from public health authorities to work across Android and iOS devices.
4/16 Apps will undergo rigorous checks before they are approved
These apps will be approved only if they are “administered in conjunction with public health authorities, meet our privacy requirements, and protect user data,” said Apple and Google.
The second phase will use smartphone’s operating system (Android and iOS)
5 / 16
The second phase will use smartphone’s operating system (Android and iOS)
In the next few months Apple and Google plan to have OS level updates to help ensure broad adoption in contact tracing. No apps will be needed when this rolls out.
Smartphones are important in slowing down the pandemic
6 / 16
Smartphones are important in slowing down the pandemic
Phones offer an automated solution that scales to understand when people are exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus. “This gives valuable anonymous data to public health authorities to make the best decisions to slow down COVID-19,” the two companies said.
7 / 16
Contact-tracing from Apple and Google will only be available to be used by apps from public health authorities
The apps approved will have access to Bluetooth beacon data but will retain user privacy and security
8 / 16
The apps approved will have access to Bluetooth beacon data but will retain user privacy and security
Apple and Google are working with public health authorities to see how users may be contacted about the available apps
9 / 16 Apple and Google are working with public health authorities to see how users may be contacted about the available apps
10 / 16
Apple and Google will highlight contact tracing apps when they become available on their app stores.
Anyone who tests positive for the virus will not be identified by the system to other users, nor to Apple or Google
11 / 16
Anyone who tests positive for the virus will not be identified by the system to other users, nor to Apple or Google
12 / 16
No location data will be collected. The two companies specified that, “This system does not collect location data from your device, and does not share the identities of other users to each other, Google or Apple"
13 / 16
The two companies will not share data with governments and authorities, except in two cases. If a user chooses to report a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 to their contact tracing app, only then specific data will be shared. The second case is if a user is notified through their app that they have come into contact with an individual who is positive for COVID-19 then the system will share the day the contact occurred, how long it lasted and the Bluetooth signal strength of that contact. No other information will be shared
Google and Apple will have the authority to disable the tech being deployed once it’s not needed
14 / 16
Google and Apple will have the authority to disable the tech being deployed once it’s not needed.
15 / 16
No user will be ‘forced’ to use these apps or technology. “Users have explicit choice whether or not to turn on and use COVID-19 contact-tracing,” Apple and Google representatives said.
16 / 16
Apple and Google will not monetise the project at all.
The two companies announced their plans of helping governments, health agencies across the world with the help of contact tracing, apps among other things. Now, Apple and Google have outlined their plans in detail and addressed one big worry: that of user privacy. Here we list out 15 things that you need to know about how Apple and Google will use your phone to fight coronavirus:
2/16 The two companies intend to use the power of Bluetooth to help in contact tracing
Apps made by governments/public health authorities to be available by May
3 / 16
Apps made by governments/public health authorities to be available by May
Apple and Google will release application programming interfaces (APIs) that allow contact tracing apps from public health authorities to work across Android and iOS devices.
4/16 Apps will undergo rigorous checks before they are approved
These apps will be approved only if they are “administered in conjunction with public health authorities, meet our privacy requirements, and protect user data,” said Apple and Google.
The second phase will use smartphone’s operating system (Android and iOS)
5 / 16
The second phase will use smartphone’s operating system (Android and iOS)
In the next few months Apple and Google plan to have OS level updates to help ensure broad adoption in contact tracing. No apps will be needed when this rolls out.
Smartphones are important in slowing down the pandemic
6 / 16
Smartphones are important in slowing down the pandemic
Phones offer an automated solution that scales to understand when people are exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus. “This gives valuable anonymous data to public health authorities to make the best decisions to slow down COVID-19,” the two companies said.
7 / 16
Contact-tracing from Apple and Google will only be available to be used by apps from public health authorities
The apps approved will have access to Bluetooth beacon data but will retain user privacy and security
8 / 16
The apps approved will have access to Bluetooth beacon data but will retain user privacy and security
Apple and Google are working with public health authorities to see how users may be contacted about the available apps
9 / 16 Apple and Google are working with public health authorities to see how users may be contacted about the available apps
10 / 16
Apple and Google will highlight contact tracing apps when they become available on their app stores.
Anyone who tests positive for the virus will not be identified by the system to other users, nor to Apple or Google
11 / 16
Anyone who tests positive for the virus will not be identified by the system to other users, nor to Apple or Google
12 / 16
No location data will be collected. The two companies specified that, “This system does not collect location data from your device, and does not share the identities of other users to each other, Google or Apple"
13 / 16
The two companies will not share data with governments and authorities, except in two cases. If a user chooses to report a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 to their contact tracing app, only then specific data will be shared. The second case is if a user is notified through their app that they have come into contact with an individual who is positive for COVID-19 then the system will share the day the contact occurred, how long it lasted and the Bluetooth signal strength of that contact. No other information will be shared
Google and Apple will have the authority to disable the tech being deployed once it’s not needed
14 / 16
Google and Apple will have the authority to disable the tech being deployed once it’s not needed.
15 / 16
No user will be ‘forced’ to use these apps or technology. “Users have explicit choice whether or not to turn on and use COVID-19 contact-tracing,” Apple and Google representatives said.
16 / 16
Apple and Google will not monetise the project at all.
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