Apple, Google ban use of location tracking in contact tracing apps

Tuesday, 5 May 2020 09:54

Apple and Google have unveiled a sneak peek into their new contact tracing app that is aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus.

In a bid to protect the privacy of the user, the tech firms explained that their system will use Bluetooth signals from phones to detect encounters instead.

They confirmed that the data will be used only by health authorities and the location data will not be collected.

No ads will run on the app, which will be disabled once contact tracing is no longer needed, they added.

The firms had announced last month that they will join forces to develop a system to notify people if they've been near someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

More from International News

Sudan's RSF agrees to US proposal for humanitarian ceasefire

Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces agreed to a proposal from the United States and Arab powers for a humanitarian ceasefire and is open to talks on a cessation of hostilities, it said on Thursday in a statement.
India top court says Air India crash report does not insinuate anything against pilot

India's top court said on Friday that a preliminary report on an Air India crash that killed 260 people in June does not insinuate anything against the captain, but it will hear a plea from the pilot's father on November 10 for an independent probe.
Belgium's Liege airport temporarily halted again due to drone sighting

Belgium's Liege airport has resumed flights after a temporary halt due to a drone sighting, the country's air traffic control service said on Fridayin the second such incident this week.
Explosion at mosque in Indonesian capital injures dozens, police say

An explosion at a mosque in Indonesia's capital Jakarta during Friday prayers injured dozens of people, police said, without giving any early indication of the cause.