Apple, Google look to uphold privacy in view of contact tracing apps amid COVID outbreak

Global techlogy giants Apple and Google whose operating systems are being used in almost 99 percent of smartphones anunced that y would come up with a system to tify people if y come across COVID positive persons.  companies have said y would allow only public health authorities to use techlogy.

Besides tifying users about ir proximity with COVID-19 positive persons, ir or important goal is to ensure privacy of users and prevent governments from misusing system to compile data on citizens.  system uses Bluetooth signals from phones to detect encounters and does t use or store GPS location data.

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However, according to International media reports, developers of official COVID-tracing apps in various US states have opined that it was vital se tech companies allowed to use GPS location data in connection with new contact tracing system, which could allow studying how virus outbreaks move and also to identify hotspots.

Also, re are apprehensions that Apple iPhones and Google Android phones switch off Bluetooth connections after some time for battery-saving and or reasons unless users remember to re-activate m. This situation might cause user to miss recording encounter with COVID-19 positive person. 

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Also, software companies who have developed contact tracing apps for state governments have said that y don't rely on new techlogy of Apple and Google for former's contact tracing apps.

Canada’s Alberta province, which does t collect GPS data, reportedly said it has plans to adopt Apple-Google system for its ABTraceToger app.

Amid this, privacy experts have opined that data of COVID-19 positive persons, if exposed, could lead to persons and businesses being ostracised causing panic among infected persons as well as people coming in contact with m.

(With ncy inputs)