When they're not developing competing products, Apple and Google are jointly building the software architecture for coronavirus contact tracing apps. A few updates from Monday's story:
Anti-troll measures: The two companies are implementing verification measures so a user's self-reported positive COVID-19 diagnosis can be cross-referenced with public health data. This couldaddress concerns that bad apples (or hypochondriacs) could log fake COVID-19 diagnoses.
Proximity: Per social distancing protocol, smartphones will trade beacons over Bluetooth if they're within six feet of each other.
Phase 2: The companies plan to eventually roll out OS-level contact tracing in the coming months. If you opt in, you'll be notified of potential exposure to COVID-19 even without downloading the app.
Implementation: Only public health authorities can build apps on top of the Apple/Google software. We're at least a few weeks out from that. But once the ball is in their court, health agencies will face their next big challenge: making sure people download the app.
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