Google, Apple roll out built-in Covid-19 exposure notifications to phones

Six US states and about two dozen countries have launched exposure notification apps based on the Apple-Google technology in recent weeks without major hitches. — Reuters

Alphabet Inc's Google and Apple Inc on Sept 1 announced a new system that will enable public health authorities to use smartphones to assist in contact tracing without having to build an app.

The new system – called Exposure Notifications Express – will allow public health officials to submit a small configuration file to Apple and Google. The two tech companies will then use the file to set up systems that phone owners can opt in to in order to determine whether they have been near someone who has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.