The Vergecast Apple and Google are building a coronavirus tracking system into iOS and Android
Apr 10, 2020
Adi Robertson, a tech reporter at The Verge, joins Casey Newton, an insightful technology analyst, and Nicole Wetsman, a health reporter specializing in public health, to discuss Apple and Google's new coronavirus tracking system. They delve into the significance of contact tracing and the evolution of this technology amid the pandemic. The trio highlights privacy challenges, societal disparities in access, and the balance between tech solutions and traditional public health methods. They also address the psychological impacts of exposure notifications and the importance of community involvement.
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Contact Tracing Explained
- Contact tracing is a crucial tool for managing infectious disease outbreaks, used to identify those exposed and break chains of transmission.
- It involves identifying infected individuals and tracing their contacts to monitor symptoms or enforce quarantines.
Apple/Google Contact Tracing System
- Apple and Google's system uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to exchange anonymous keys between nearby devices.
- If a user tests positive, the system flags others who've interacted with their key, alerting them of potential exposure without revealing the infected person's identity.
Challenges of Bluetooth-Based Systems
- Bluetooth-based contact tracing systems face challenges with adoption rates and accuracy.
- Low adoption limits effectiveness, and Bluetooth's limitations may lead to false positives, causing unnecessary panic and eroding trust.