From CNET: California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday said the state has partnered with Apple and Google on an app to let people use their phones to track potential exposure to COVID-19.
The digital system uses Bluetooth signals from phones to alert people if they've been in contact with someone who's tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The project takes advantage of two of the world's most popular operating systems -- Apple's iOS and Google's Android -- to potentially reach billions of people.
To use the features, people can download the app, called CA Notify, from Google's Play store for Android phones starting Thursday. On iPhones, people can turn on the alerts in their phone settings.
Newsom's announcement makes California the biggest state to adopt the features, first announced in April. The project is a rare public collaboration between the two tech rivals, but some critics have expressed privacy concerns over the potential for abuse and mass surveillance. The companies said they intend to shut down the tools after they are no longer needed to fight the pandemic.
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