An image showing the analysis of a model of Google and Apple BlueTooth-based contract-tracing technology. Image credit: visitmasoncityiowa.com

COVID-19 Information Education: Google and Apple plan to develop coronavirus contact-tracing technology tools

The Bluetooth-enabled contract-tracing technology tool would have user consent, privacy, transparency and security central to the design

The contact tracing technology solution would include application programming interfaces (APIs) and operating system-level technology

Google and Apple, two of the biggest software developers in the world are working together in the spirit of collaboration to develop contact-tracing technology tools to help governments and health agencies combat the coronavirus spread.

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The contract-tracing technology tool that uses Bluetooth would have user consent, privacy, transparency and security central to the design as Google and Apple admitted that there had not been a more important moment to work together to solve one of the world’s greatest problems, coronavirus outbreak.

The contact-tracing technology that would be launched Google and Apple would offer a comprehensive contact tracing solution that includes application programming interfaces (APIs) and operating system-level technology.

Health authorities and some governments have identified contact-tracing as a valued technology tool to help contain its spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) even though a good number of leading public health authorities, universities, and NGOs around the world have been working tirelessly to develop opt-in contact-tracing technology tools.

Google and Apple will work to enable a wider Bluetooth-based contact-tracing functionality into in the approaching months.

This wider fundamental Bluetooth-based contact-tracing platform is a more robust solution than an application programming interfaces (APIs) and would allow more individuals to participate if they choose to do so, as well as enable collaboration with a broader ecosystem of apps and government health authorities.

The two software developers stated that they would openly publish information about their work for others to analyze as they look forward to building Bluetooth-based contact-tracing functionality in consultation with interested stakeholders.

Through close cooperation and collaboration with developers, governments and public health providers, the two software developers hoped to harness the power of Bluetooth-based technology to help countries around the world slow the spread of COVID-19 and accelerate the return of everyday life.

As part of this partnership, Google and Apple are currently releasing draft technical documentation including Bluetooth and cryptography specifications and framework documentation