Virginia Releases COVID-19 Exposure App Based on Apple and Google API

Wednesday August 5, 2020 7:39 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

Virginia this week became the first U.S. state to release a COVID-19 exposure notification app using Apple's and Google's jointly developed API, as noted by Kyle Carmitchel on Twitter. The app is available now on the App Store.

virginia covid app
The COVIDWISE app allows you to be notified if someone you have been near later tests positive for COVID-19, so long as that other person confirms their positive test in the app. The system relies on the exchange of anonymous Bluetooth tokens between devices, with no location data or personal information collected or shared.

iPhone users must be running iOS 13.5 or later in order for exposure notification apps using the Apple/Google API to function, and the opt-in feature must be enabled first in the Settings app. Users who have upgraded to iOS 14 should note that exposure notification apps are only functional as of the fourth developer beta.

A growing list of countries have released apps based on the Apple/Google API, most recently including Canada's COVID Alert.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Tags: COVID-19 Coronavirus Guide, Exposure Notification Guide

Top Rated Comments

calstanford

41 months ago

Why the hell would this be state wise? No one in the US crosses State borders?

Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)

cmaier

What is to stop someone from being a major ass and using these apps to falsely spread positive results?

You need to enter a code provided by authorities to prove you are positive.

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Apple Macintosh 128K

Need the country to get onboard, rather than just single states. People travel freely between states right now and the potential for transfer through those traveling is high.

MrMichaelJames

They won't want their government tracking them on their cellphones (I know it's not, but there is no way they won't think that).

That is what really makes me laugh when folks go on and on about gov't tracking you. You already have a cell phone, with GPS that is already tracked tower to tower. The gov't already knows where you are why would they need to create an app specifically for this, its built in. You basically are PAYING a company to track you.

Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

dragoon2745

I really don't understand why this is left to the states and not done at the federal level.

swingerofbirch

Right now the worst hit part of Virginia is Hampton Roads where unfortunately this will not catch on, as even masks are not being adhered to that well. They've had to dispatch extra enforcers because so many people aren't following the rules. I follow the facebook group for the small town I grew up in in the area, and people are boycotting restaurants that are enforcing the mask rules. The facebook thread on masks ended up turning into a long conspiracy thread that somehow went from masks to a bizarre pizzagate scandal that is supposedly being covered up by the mask rules. Maybe some will use it which would be good.

Personally I don't think people can handle nuance based on observing them. It's either everything but grocery/pharmacy is closed or it's mardis gras parade everyone go crazy. People were pretty good about staying home. They are not good about the masks which they seem to think are a conspiracy. They won't want their government tracking them on their cellphones (I know it's not, but there is no way they won't think that).

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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