Apple + Google Work Together To Track Coronavirus
Two of the biggest names in tech are working together to help slow the spread of Covid-19. Google and Apple are working on a set of tools that could come to a majority of smartphones around the world by May.
The technology, works on Bluetooth and helps phones communicate with each other. The point, to warn users about other people they have come in contact with that have the coronavirus.
“Through close cooperation and collaboration with developers, governments, and public health providers, we hope to harness the power of technology to help countries around the world slow the spread of COVID‑19 and accelerate the return of everyday life,” the companies said in a joint statement.
Contact tracing can help slow the spread of COVID-19 and can be done without compromising user privacy. We’re working with @sundarpichai & @Google to help health officials harness Bluetooth technology in a way that also respects transparency & consent. https://t.co/94XlbmaGZV
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 10, 2020
Tracing Your Contacts
Apple and Google’s technology is meant to support contact tracing. This means if you have the virus, normally, health care works would have to ask you many questions if your whereabouts the last week to see who else you may have infected and warn them. With this, they will be able to access all that info directly on your phone.
While this does seem a little “1984” this could help save tons of time for health officials and slow the spread.
