Apple and Google incorporate `` new coronavirus tracking system '' into iOS and Android



Apple and Google have announced a system to track the spread of the new coronavirus. This tracking system can identify and warn 'persons who may have come into contact with people infected with the new coronavirus' by using the

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) of the terminal used by the user.

Apple and Google partner on COVID-19 contact tracing technology-Apple
https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/04/apple-and-google-partner-on-covid-19-contact-tracing-technology/



Apple and Google partner on COVID-19 contact tracing technology
https://blog.google/inside-google/company-announcements/apple-and-google-partner-covid-19-contact-tracing-technology



Apple and Google collaborate on technology to detect the possibility of close contact as a measure against a new type of coronavirus infection-Apple (Japan)
https://www.apple.com/jp/newsroom/2020/04/apple-and-google-partner-on-covid-19-contact-tracing-technology/

Google Japan Blog: Apple and Google collaborate on technology to detect the possibility of dense contact as a measure against new coronavirus
https://japan.googleblog.com/2020/04/apple-and-google-partner-covid-19-contact-tracing-technology.html

Google and Apple launching coronavirus contact-tracing system for iOS and Android-The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/10/21216484/google-apple-coronavirus-contract-tracing-bluetooth-location-tracking-data-app

Governments and health authorities around the world are working together to resolve the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), and software developers fight the new coronavirus to save lives We are developing tools for Under such circumstances, Apple and Google, which usually compete with the mobile OS share, cooperated, using Bluetooth technology, `` A tracking system that can track the activity path of patients with new type coronavirus infection To be integrated into iOS and Android.

As new coronavirus infections are said to be transmitted by droplet or contact infections , public health organizations are trying to control the spread of infected individuals by tracking the path of activity and identifying clusters . As a result, public health organizations, universities, and non-governmental organizations around the world are trying to develop technology that tracks user activity from phone numbers. To accelerate this effort, Apple and Google have launched comprehensive solutions to track user location at the OS level. Google says, `` We will strongly protect user privacy while considering emergency needs and implement a solution using two steps, '' and say that we will implement a system that can track users with privacy considerations I am.



In response, in May 2020, Apple and Google announced that they would release an

API to enable interoperability between iOS and Android devices using apps from public health organizations. This API will be implemented by health authorities' apps.

The tracking system proposed by Apple and Google builds a contact tracking network using BLE, and retains a large amount of data on smartphones that were close to each other. In response, in May 2020, Apple and Google announced that they would release an API to enable interoperability between iOS and Android devices using apps from public health organizations. Apps implemented by health authorities will be able to access the data collected by the contact tracking network. The user who downloaded the app reports via the app whether or not he / she has been diagnosed with the new coronavirus infection. It will be possible to notify the warning.



In addition, from May 2020, Apple and Google will integrate tracking solutions into their mobile operating systems to extend the reach of Bluetooth-based tracking systems. Regarding the tracking solution that will be built into the OS, Google said, 'It is a more robust solution than the API-based one, and if you choose to opt- in, it will not only allow more individuals to participate, It enables interoperability with a wide range of ecosystems operated by insurance authorities. ' In other words, it seems that the tracking system introduced by Apple or Google does not work without the consent of the user.

In addition, Google said, 'Privacy, transparency, and user consent are paramount in this effort, and we look forward to working with interested stakeholders to build this feature. We will publish information about our work so that it can be analyzed by third parties. '



In addition, regarding the point that the tracking system proposed by Apple and Google uses BLE instead of GPS , the overseas technology media The Verge said, 'Bluetooth does not track physical location. The tracking system of Apple and Google is basic In addition, every 5 minutes, it acquires the signal of a nearby mobile phone and saves the history of mutual connections between terminals in a database. '

In addition, the tracking system built by Apple and Google has taken several steps to prevent personally identifying information from being identified: 'We share anonymous keys, which are every 15 minutes. To protect privacy, 'said The Verge. Also, tracking systems using BLE have potential weaknesses, such as `` the possibility of contact with a user in a room next to the one that does not actually share the space '' and the like, In areas with poor connectivity, the effect may be diminished, 'said The Verge.



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Answer to security and privacy questions floating on `` new corona virus tracking system '' jointly announced by Apple and Google-gigazine



in Mobile, Posted by logu_ii