The Government of Canada has just released its COVID-19 tracing app today. Called COVID Alert, the app is now available for download for iOS and Android users. It uses the Exposure Notification API developed by Apple and Google which you can read about here. And it was built by Shopify and BlackBerry.
The whole point of the app is that if enough people download it, like 60% or more, then the app will alert you if you have been potentially exposed to someone who has tested positive COVID-19. The app doesn’t use GPS to determine this. Instead it uses Bluetooth to keep track of users of the app that you come across and it is completely anonymous.
For Android, you need to have Android 6 or higher, and for iOS you need iOS 13.5 or later. I’ve downloaded it and it looks simple and easy to use. It also does a good job of explaining the purpose of the app and how it works. I for one hope that as many people across Canada download and use the app so that it will help Canada to flatten the curve and keep it flat.
This entry was posted on July 31, 2020 at 11:19 am and is filed under Commentary with tags Canada, COVID-19. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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BREAKING: Canada Releases COVID-19 Tracing App
The Government of Canada has just released its COVID-19 tracing app today. Called COVID Alert, the app is now available for download for iOS and Android users. It uses the Exposure Notification API developed by Apple and Google which you can read about here. And it was built by Shopify and BlackBerry.
The whole point of the app is that if enough people download it, like 60% or more, then the app will alert you if you have been potentially exposed to someone who has tested positive COVID-19. The app doesn’t use GPS to determine this. Instead it uses Bluetooth to keep track of users of the app that you come across and it is completely anonymous.
For Android, you need to have Android 6 or higher, and for iOS you need iOS 13.5 or later. I’ve downloaded it and it looks simple and easy to use. It also does a good job of explaining the purpose of the app and how it works. I for one hope that as many people across Canada download and use the app so that it will help Canada to flatten the curve and keep it flat.
UPDATE: Here’s a video about the app:
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This entry was posted on July 31, 2020 at 11:19 am and is filed under Commentary with tags Canada, COVID-19. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.