Apple and Google announced Tuesday that they will deploy digital contact-tracing tools on behalf of state and other public health authorities. The tools could help slow the spread of COVID-19 by informing users if they come into contact with someone who tests positive for the virus.
States have so far been expected to develop their own applications that work with the tech giants’ recently-launched contact-tracing infrastructure. But Apple and Google will now deploy contact-tracing tools using parameters provided by state health agencies. Google will use the information to create apps for Android phones, while Apple will implement contact-tracing for iOS devices that isn’t reliant on apps.
