Apple and Google join forces against Coronavirus: tracking technology integrated in iOS and Android

Apple and Google have announced a joint effort to adopt a shared contact-tracking technology between people. The goal is to help governments and health authorities control and reduce the spread of COVID-19. To do this, the two companies will use Bluetooth technology.

The goal is to reduce the spread of the virus by ” keeping user privacy and security ” at the heart of the project. Tracking requires the explicit consent of the device user. Apps to track travel and contacts have been at the center of public debate for several weeks since we looked at what has been done by South Korea and China to reduce the spread of infections.

It is clear that in the face of a global pandemic, we cannot act without technological coordination, an unequivocal response. So while numerous health authorities, universities, and NGO around the world have developed interaction tracking technologies, Apple and Google intend to offer a complete solution that includes APIs and other operating system-level solutions to achieve the goal.

First, in May, both companies will publish API (Application Program  Interface, these are so-called libraries), which will allow interoperability between Android and iOS devices in the use of apps developed by the public health authority. These official apps will be available to users through their respective app stores.

In the following months, Apple and Google will work to create a wider contact tracking platform, based on Bluetooth technology, with the aim of integrating everything directly into the operating system. ” This is a more solid solution than an API and would allow more people to participate if they choose to join, as well as allowing interaction with a wider ecosystem of apps and health authorities. ”

” Privacy, transparency and consensus are of the utmost importance in this effort, and we look forward to building this functionality by consulting with the various stakeholders. ” Apple and Google will publish information about their work so that it can be analyzed by third parties. There is already some material – a part you can see in the screenshots – in the links at the bottom of the Google press release.