Tech giants Apple and Google have joined forces to enable the use of Bluetooth technology to help governments and health agencies reduce the spread of the Coronavirus, with user privacy and security central to the design.

Since COVID-19 can be transmitted through close proximity to affected individuals, public health organizations have identified contact tracing as a valuable tool to help contain its spread.

A number of leading public health authorities, universities, and NGOs around the world have been doing important work to develop opt-in contact tracing technology.

In a statement, Apple and Google say they will be launching a comprehensive solution that includes application programming interfaces (APIs) and operating system-level technology to assist in enabling contact tracing.

The tech giants say the plan is to implement this solution in two steps while maintaining strong protections around user privacy.

“First, in May, both companies will release APIs that enable interoperability between Android and iOS devices using apps from public health authorities. Second, in the coming months, Apple and Google will work to enable a broader Bluetooth-based contact tracing platform by building this functionality into the underlying platforms which is a more robust solution than an API and would allow more individuals to participate.”

These official apps will be available for users to download via their respective app stores.

Apple and Google say they believe there has never been a more important moment to work together to solve one of the world’s most pressing problems and hope to harness the power of technology to help countries around the world slow the spread of COVID-19 and accelerate the return of everyday life.

Faizel Patel – (Twitter: @FaizelPatel143)