Apple and Google are partnering to add technology to iPhone and Android devices which will alert a user if they’ve come into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
Quoting Bloomberg, WWLP reports that the technology, known as contact-tracing, is designed to curb the spread of coronavirus by telling users if they should quarantine after coming in contact with an infected individual.
The tech giants said Friday that they would be installing the technology into the iOS and Android operating systems by mid-May, which would send anonymous data to public health authorities.
Users must, however, opt to be a part of the programme.
If a user tests positive for COVID-19, it adds that data to their public health app, and users who come in close proximity to that person will be notified of their contact.
Apple and Google said Friday that the system preserves the user’s privacy, as consent is required and location data is not collected.
The system will not say specifically who a person came in contact with, or where it happened.