Apple and Google Are Collaborating on COVID-19 Contact-Tracing Technology
Two tech giants are coming together to collaborate on a new technology that could help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Apple and Google are partnering to create a technology for COVID-19 contact tracing. The joint effort will create platforms for both iOS and Android devices that would enable the use of Bluetooth to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
According to Google's Contact Tracing Bluetooth Specification paper, "Contact Tracing makes it possible to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus by alerting participants of possible exposure to someone who they have recently been in contact with, and who has subsequently been positively diagnosed as having the virus."
Their work will roll out in two phases. In May, Apple and Google will release apps for users to download in Apple's App Store and Google's Google Play Store.
Then, in future months, the companies will work to create a broader Bluetooth-based contact tracing platform by building it into the underlying iOS and Android platforms. Users would still need to opt into it on the platform.