With each new security and privacy concern raised regarding the coronavirus contact tracing software, Apple and Google provide users with reassurance and the latest is a promise to disable it after the pandemic is over or contained.
Every new innovation comes with its own varying apprehension. Recently, we saw a storm of panic nearly overtake the world regarding 5G and the coronavirus. Despite being founded on unverifiable conspiracy theories, we saw how easily people can succumb to their fear.
The issue had almost resulted in a crisis as 5G towers were rumoured to have been burned in the UK.
Now, just some weeks after the 5G issue, Apple and Google face a different kind of mass fear. This time, people are not afraid because of conspiracy theories. Instead, they have good reasons to be worried.
People are expressing doubt about the privacy aspect of the coronavirus contact tracing software.
The two companies developing the software had taken proactive measures to ensure people felt safe and in control.
First, they revealed that when apps became available from health and government bodies; users would get to choose if they want to opt-in or not.
Secondly, they mentioned that details that could lead to identifying individuals would be scrambled. Thus, it would be untraceable back to the person.
Also read:
– US Senator Calls For Google And Apple To Put Customer’s Privacy First In Coronavirus Tracing Software
– Apple And Google Say Security First As They Add New Privacy Feature To Coronavirus Tracing Software
– Security Tips From Google To Keep In Mind During The COVID-19 Pandemic
Yet, there is still some unrest among people. In a letter to Sundar Pichai and Tim Cook, a US senator had pointed out some of the misgivings people have.
One of the questions that the Senator, Josh Hawley had asked was if the companies would continue monitoring people with the software after the pandemic was over.
In an article, The Verge claims that representatives from Apple and Google have said that they would disable the tracing software after “the outbreak had been sufficiently contained”.
Health authorities would determine when the outbreak has been curbed to a reasonable extent. However, the engineers working on the project revealed that they are not using permanent APIs as well.
It is likely that before the project launches officially in May, they would make more additions. As we heard recently, the developers changed the name from “tracing software” to “exposure notification”.
The privacy aspect is likely what is delaying the software from launching sooner. In fact, this likely led French authorities to ask Apple and Google to launch the software irrespective of the privacy risks.
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