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Apple and Google Team Up to Track COVID-19
Apple and Google are among the top technology companies in the United States, alongside Microsoft, Amazon, and Facebook. Google and Apple have released an announcement that they will work together to assist government and healthcare agencies in reducing the spread of COVID-19. Through usage of Bluetooth technologies, “the companies will work together to notify users if they have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.” Patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 are expected to be removed from the database once they test negative. Security and privacy are of high priority to both companies, they have stated “personal information and location data” will not be collected. Both companies are committed to full transparency.
Apple and Google are among the top technology companies in the United States, alongside Microsoft, Amazon, and Facebook. Google and Apple have released an announcement that they will work together to assist government and healthcare agencies in reducing the spread of COVID-19. Through usage of Bluetooth technologies, “the companies will work together to notify users if they have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.” Patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 are expected to be removed from the database once they test negative. Security and privacy are of high priority to both companies, they have stated “personal information and location data” will not be collected. Both companies are committed to full transparency.
Through this unprecedented partnership, Apple and Google will first release application programming interfaces that ensure interoperability amongst both Apple and Android devices, then more robust tracking technology will be released. Apple released a report stating “all of us at Apple and Google believe there has never been a more important moment to work together to solve one of the world’s most pressing problems.” The goal of the partnership is to “harness the power of technology to help countries around the world slow the spread of COVID-19.”
Discussion Questions:
- Discuss how technology has impacted and accelerated the growth of several industries in our economy. How does technology stimulate economic growth?
- Discuss the power of partnerships as it relates to:
- Economic growth and development
- Comparative advantage
Sources: Bloomberg: Technology “Apple, Google Partner Up to Offer Covid-19 Contact Tracing;” Apple“Apple and Google partner on COVID-19 contact tracing technology.”
