Apple's Contact Tracing System Will Require Verification When Users Report Testing Positive for COVID-19

Apple today in a press briefing indicated that its upcoming COVID-19 contact tracing system with Google will have a verification flow, meaning that users will be required to submit proof in order to report that they have tested positive for the disease.

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As an example, Apple said that a person who tests positive for COVID-19 could receive a QR code with their test results and then scan that QR code within the contact tracing system for confirmation purposes, but the exact implementation remains to be seen. Apple said verification will be handled by an external entity and could vary by region.

Verification will be a very important step in Apple's and Google's contact tracing system, preventing users from falsely reporting that they have tested positive for COVID-19 and inflicting unnecessary worry on others.

Apple also ensured that the contact tracing system will not be enforced by governments and will instead function on an opt-in basis.

Apple and Google revealed plans for their contact tracing system earlier this week. The joint effort will use Bluetooth to alert users when they have potentially come in close contact with someone who later tests positive for COVID-19, while respecting user privacy.

apple google contact tracing slide
apple google contract tracing
Read our coverage of the announcement for more details.

Top Rated Comments

ipedro Avatar
41 months ago

What if I want absolutely nothing to do with this?
The thing that this pandemic has revealed about society is the upsetting number of selfish, self centred people we live amongst.

I'm satisfied with the privacy measures built into this system and would absolutely opt in so that together, we can prevent further infections and end the suffering for everybody.

The thing about selfish people is that they depend on there being enough selfless people in society to end this pandemic for everyone. If there are more selfish people than selfless people, then it'll end up coming back and hurting the selfish people. Karma, as explained by science.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
locovaca Avatar
41 months ago
Oh just like I can “turn off” the Bluetooth in Control Center but it doesn’t turn it off?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nexu Avatar
41 months ago
Actually privacy implementation in this project was really well done. Would opt in as well
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ziggie216 Avatar
41 months ago

What if I want absolutely nothing to do with this?
then do nothing
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BlazednSleepy Avatar
41 months ago

Oh just like I can “turn off” the Bluetooth in Control Center but it doesn’t turn it off?
Turn it off in the settings then.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
calzon65 Avatar
41 months ago
This still feels creepy, especially with Google involved.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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