A rare partnership between Apple and Google has formed amid the current pandemic, as both companies want the same thing: to stop the COVID-19 outbreak and save the people. The companies will be adding technologies to their smartphone platforms that will notify users once they’ve come in contact with a person infected with the virus.
People must opt in to the system for it to work, but it has the potential to monitor about a third of the world’s population since Apple and Google have about 3 billion users between them. The technology, called contact-tracing, is designed to curb the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
On April 10th, the rivals said they’re building the software into their Android and iOS operating systems in two phases. First, the companies will make it possible for iPhones and Android phones to be able to wirelessly exchange anonymous data via an app run by public health authorities. The companies plan to have the app available to the public by mid-may.
The feature would allow users who test positive for COVID-19 to add the data to their public health app, which then sends a notification to users who came in contact with you over the previous several days and will be advised to self-isolate for 14 days.
The second phase, which comes later on, will include both companies adding the technology directly into their operating systems, which will allow users to use this contact-tracing program without downloading an app.
Privacy Preservation
The technology has its critics because it involves sharing sensitive health information, and some politicians have been warning that American citizens’ privacy should be protected.
A group of conservative Republicans in the House of Representatives, who are members of the House Freedom Caucus, wrote in a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump:
We caution that actions taken to contain the spreading of coronavirus must also preserve the right to privacy held by each and every American. Google’s colossal stores of data on the daily movements of Americans, coupled with the might of local, state, and federal governments, is an alarming prospect.
However, Apple and Google highlighted that their system preserves the user’s privacy, and they make it very clear that consent and participation are required, and location data is not provided. The program also won’t notify the user exactly ‘who’ they came into contact with, or even where it happened, they will only get an anonymous tip. Finally, once the COVID-19 pandemic is finally over, Apple and Google can shut down the entire system.
According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), aside from privacy concerns, other challenges remain, including the availability of widespread testing to complement the app and access to mobile phones.
Jennifer Granick, cybersecurity and surveillance counsel at ACLU, said:
We must be realistic that such contact tracing methods are likely to exclude many vulnerable members of society who lack access to technology and are already being disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
Pandemic Unites Rivals
Apple and Google are long-time rivals; such a close partnership is extremely rare. The tech giants have competed for years with their smartphone operating systems, media services, app stores, voice-recognition technology. However, both companies have set aside their differences and are using their extraordinary resources to fight this battle together.
The companies wrote in a joint statement:
All of us at Apple and Google believe there has never been a more important moment to work together to solve one of the world’s most pressing problems.
How Does It Work?
When two people meet, their phones exchange anonymous identifiers, via Bluetooth, to register that they have been in contact. Days later, one of these individuals is diagnosed with COVID-19, and the person enters the results into the public health app on their phone. Then, the program asks for the user’s permission to let others know. If the user accepts, the person’s smartphone will send a notification to any other mobile devices that have been in contact during previous days.
Health agencies will also inform those who receive the notification that they came in contact with an infected person about how to self-isolate and tips on boosting the immune system.
COVID-19 Relief Efforts
This new technology isn’t the first step against fighting the COVID-19 battle for either company. In March, Google launched a coronavirus information website, while Apple released COVID-19 at-home screening tools for iPhone users. Apple also designed face shields and donated more than 20 million masks to health-care workers on the front lines, and Google’s Verily is running coronavirus-testing sites around California.
