Buzz
More than 21% of Americans have the ability to use state-created COVID-19 contact-tracing apps, yet only a small percentage actively engage with them.
This highlights a fundamental issue with such apps: their effectiveness relies heavily on widespread adoption. Understandably, skepticism abounds due to lingering uncertainties about COVID-19, tech companies' poor data privacy history, the threat of government surveillance, and the current turbulent political and social environment. With so many unanswered questions, public hesitation is inevitable.
Instead, let’s concentrate on the facts we do understand regarding the newest contact-tracing apps.
User privacy is safeguarded by the technology
Currently, eleven U.S. states and Guam offer official contact-tracing apps, with ten additional states, including California and Arizona, preparing to launch their own. Many of these apps utilize contact-tracing technology integrated into the latest Android and iOS versions.
These apps rely on low-power Bluetooth signals to communicate with nearby devices, ensuring no personal data is exchanged. When a user tests positive, notifications are sent to devices that were in proximity, all without using names, phone numbers, or other identifying details.
Both iPhones and Android devices support this functionality natively, eliminating the need for developers to build custom tracing systems. Additionally, numerous contact-tracing apps are open-source, making their code accessible and transparent to the public.
An app is still required on your phone
Although Android and iOS now include built-in contact-tracing capabilities, these features are distinct from the apps themselves. To utilize these functionalities, you must download a contact-tracing app, as it won’t automatically appear on your device. Using these apps is entirely optional.
Even if you suspect these apps of spying, this concern is overshadowed by the vast amount of data you already provide to companies like Apple and Google through their hardware, software, and services. Data collection by corporations and governments doesn’t require a contact-tracing app—it’s already happening openly.
Scams and malware pose a more significant threat
The first wave of contact-tracing apps did indeed face numerous privacy concerns. Some security flaws were accidental, while others were intentional. However, most of these issues arose before Apple and Google introduced their contact-tracing APIs and are unrelated to them.
Reports of “contact-tracing” arrests following protests highlight a serious concern, but these incidents are better described as “social-engineering” arrests. Law enforcement did not rely on contact-tracing app data, as Bluetooth tracing only confirms device proximity without revealing identifiable information.
While independent developers can opt for alternative tracing methods, this is where risks emerge. Coronavirus scams and malicious applications are increasing, with hackers and identity thieves actively attempting to trick users into downloading fake contact-tracing apps or visiting fraudulent websites. By sticking to official, open-source apps from your state that utilize your phone’s built-in APIs for contact-tracing, you minimize risks. Alternatively, consider this: the advantage of being alerted to potential exposure to a serious illness should outweigh any other apprehensions.
