Have Apple And Google Uploaded A COVID-19 Tracking App?
Jul 29, 2020 3:20:58 GMT -5
Post by Midnight on Jul 29, 2020 3:20:58 GMT -5
I'm seeing lots of hysteria on FB from people who don't read the whole story!
Have Apple And Google Uploaded A COVID-19 Tracking App To Your Phone? The Facts Behind The Furor
Davey Winder
I report and analyse breaking cybersecurity and privacy stories
What's that COVID-19 tracking 'app' that's suddenly appeared on your Android or iPhone device? GETTY
Social media is buzzing with complaints from people after apparently discovering that Apple or Google has suddenly uploaded a COVID-19 tracking app to their phone without permission. Here's what actually happened.
If you have opened up your Facebook or Twitter apps only to be bombarded by messages from people warning that Apple or Google has suddenly and stealthily installed a COVID-19 tracking app to their phone, and you should check yours, then you are not alone.
I'm sorry to disappoint those readers looking forward to a good old rant about the state violating their right to privacy or expecting fuel to feed another conspiracy theory fire. Neither Apple nor Google have uploaded an app to your smartphone without your permission; no stealthy and automatic tracking app installation has taken place.
Yes, there is now an entry at the top of the Google settings on my Android smartphone, for example, that states: "COVID-19 exposure notifications."
No, that does not mean an app has been installed. Indeed, if I were to click on that entry, it would take me to a screen that tells me I have to install or finish setting up a participating app to activate the exposure notifications.
So, what has been installed? This is a case of nothing to see here as all that's happened in the last Android or iOS update is that the application programming interface (API) that will enable exposure notifications to work has been added. It's not an app; it's the framework within the operating system that will allow such an app to function once it becomes available and if you decide to install it.
Google support screen regarding COVID-19 exposure notifications and requirement to download an app first
It's quite clear that you have to download the tracking app before exposure notifications can work DAVEY WINDER
Apple and Google published a joint statement about this back on May 20. "What we’ve built is not an app - rather public health agencies will incorporate the API into their own apps that people install. Our technology is designed to make these apps work better."
To sum up, then: nobody can or will install a COVID-19 tracking app on your phone but you. At that point, you will have to agree to the various permissions the application requires to work effectively. As you were, nothing to see here.
If you are wondering if it is possible to remove, or disable, the exposure notifications framework from your iPhone or Android smartphone, then I have explained all in this new update.
More at the link
Have Apple And Google Uploaded A COVID-19 Tracking App To Your Phone? The Facts Behind The Furor
Davey Winder
I report and analyse breaking cybersecurity and privacy stories
What's that COVID-19 tracking 'app' that's suddenly appeared on your Android or iPhone device? GETTY
Social media is buzzing with complaints from people after apparently discovering that Apple or Google has suddenly uploaded a COVID-19 tracking app to their phone without permission. Here's what actually happened.
If you have opened up your Facebook or Twitter apps only to be bombarded by messages from people warning that Apple or Google has suddenly and stealthily installed a COVID-19 tracking app to their phone, and you should check yours, then you are not alone.
I'm sorry to disappoint those readers looking forward to a good old rant about the state violating their right to privacy or expecting fuel to feed another conspiracy theory fire. Neither Apple nor Google have uploaded an app to your smartphone without your permission; no stealthy and automatic tracking app installation has taken place.
Yes, there is now an entry at the top of the Google settings on my Android smartphone, for example, that states: "COVID-19 exposure notifications."
No, that does not mean an app has been installed. Indeed, if I were to click on that entry, it would take me to a screen that tells me I have to install or finish setting up a participating app to activate the exposure notifications.
So, what has been installed? This is a case of nothing to see here as all that's happened in the last Android or iOS update is that the application programming interface (API) that will enable exposure notifications to work has been added. It's not an app; it's the framework within the operating system that will allow such an app to function once it becomes available and if you decide to install it.
Google support screen regarding COVID-19 exposure notifications and requirement to download an app first
It's quite clear that you have to download the tracking app before exposure notifications can work DAVEY WINDER
Apple and Google published a joint statement about this back on May 20. "What we’ve built is not an app - rather public health agencies will incorporate the API into their own apps that people install. Our technology is designed to make these apps work better."
To sum up, then: nobody can or will install a COVID-19 tracking app on your phone but you. At that point, you will have to agree to the various permissions the application requires to work effectively. As you were, nothing to see here.
If you are wondering if it is possible to remove, or disable, the exposure notifications framework from your iPhone or Android smartphone, then I have explained all in this new update.
More at the link