Apple and Google release test version of Coronavirus patient tracking software

• Google and Apple have released the first version of the Coronavirus exposure notification API.
• The API has been released to a few developers and a public release is expected in mid-May.
• The Coronavirus exposure notification tool will enable health agencies to alert people who may have come in contact with Coronavirus patients.

Search giant Google and Apple joined hands earlier this month to help health authorities across the world track the spread of Coronavirus. The two companies are collaborating to develop contact-tracing tools to help identify the people who have come in contact with Coronavirus patients.

Google and Apple today released the first version of the exposure notification application programming interfaces (APIs). This will be used by selected developers to create new contact tracing applications on behalf of health agencies.

Apple released a beta version of Xcode 11.5 and the third beta of iOS 13.5. Similarly, Google released updates through the Play Services and Android Developer Studio.


API to be released publicly in May

The current release is only a test that is aimed at collecting feedback from the developers ahead of its public release in mid-May. After the public release, developers will be able to use the software features with publicly available apps released on both Android and iOS devices.

Apple and Google have said that they will be providing additional details about the API and its future releases on May 1. A sample code will also be released to show how it operates.

How will the exposure notification work?

Apple and Google will use the device’s inbuilt Bluetooth antenna to ping other smartphones in close proximity. Then, this data will be combined with people who voluntarily report that they have tested positive for Coronavirus.

Health agencies will use the data stored on the patient’s device to inform people who may have come in contact with the patient.

Google and Apple have said that user privacy and security are the most important aspects of the tool. Information about the patient’s location or identity is not shared with either of the companies.

See also:

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