The release is to encourage
feedback that will help improve various features of the framework before the
final rollout.
Apple
and Google on Wednesday released the first version of exposure notification
(earlier called contact tracing) Application Programming Interface (API) to
select developers associated with public health authorities (PHAs) around the
world.
This is a developer-focused
release and is consistent with both the companies deliver beta copies of their
software at the same time.
Aimed at helping developers
begin testing in anticipation of the API's release in mid-May, another goal of
the release is to encourage feedback that will help improve the various
features, the tech giants said in a statement.
"Collaboration and
transparency have been two key principles of the project for both companies.
Additional details will be announced on Friday," they added.
Apple CEO Tim Cook told the
European Union (EU) Commissioner Thierry Breton last week that the API would
arrive shortly.
On April 10, Google
and Apple announced a joint effort to enable the use of Bluetooth technology to
help governments and health agencies reduce the spread of Covid-19 through
contact tracing, with user privacy and security core to the design.
Amid the growing debate
over privacy and security around contact tracing technology, the tech giant
last week announced new updates to allay such fears, saying the
Bluetooth-driven exposure notification system to enable iOS and Android phones
trace the spread of coronavirus is completely safe.
No comments:
Post a Comment