Switzerland first to launch contact tracing app based on Apple-Google API

Posted:
in General Discussion edited May 2020
A team based in Switzerland claims that it has developed and debuted the first digital Exposure Notification app using a framework made by Apple and Google.

The SwissCovid app. Credit: EPFL
The SwissCovid app. Credit: EPFL


The Apple-Google API, first announced on April 10 and launched on May 20, is a developer toolkit that can be used to create public health apps that track the spread of coronavirus via Bluetooth signals.

Switzerland's app based on the API, dubbed SwissCovid, on Monday entered a pilot phase where it will be tested by members of the Swiss army, hospital workers and civil servants, the BBC reports.

The app, which relies on a "decentralized" approach, was developed by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) and ETC Zurich. Development teams at those institutions say that their app is the first one based on the Apple-Google framework in the world to actually launch.

Unlike other digital contact tracing efforts, apps based on the API must adhere to a set of privacy and security protocols, including a strict opt-in policy, the decentralized storage of data, and cryptographic and anonymizing measures.

Because of the stringent requirements, some governments, such as the UK and the U.S. state of Utah, have decided to forego the API in favor of their own solutions. According to the BBC, the National Health Service is still considering the Apple-Google API as a "backup."

According to Swiss news site Swissinfo.ch, the Google version of the app was accidentally leaked to the public before access was restricted, though EPFL officials say that the incident wouldn't affect the pilot phase.

The Swiss parliament will "debate the legal basis" for the app in June. If it's approved, it should officially launch to the public by the middle of that month.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 4
    sailorpaulsailorpaul Posts: 322member
    Gee, can I download and use this Swiss app?  At the moment we still have diplomatic relations with the Swiss. 

    If I show up spending time next to a positive person will they phone home?  I’ll be happy to give them the number of my state public health department.  That’s probably faster than waiting for 50 individual states to act

    Yes.  /s
  • Reply 2 of 4
    fred1fred1 Posts: 1,112member
    I don’t need apps like this, or anything else. My phone has an antivirus app!  :D
    GeorgeBMac
  • Reply 3 of 4
    mknelsonmknelson Posts: 1,126member
    fred1 said:
    I don’t need apps like this, or anything else. My phone has an antivirus app!  :D
    Sure, but does your body?  :p

    OK, how about one that works BEFORE you get infected?
  • Reply 4 of 4
    fred1fred1 Posts: 1,112member
    mknelson said:
    fred1 said:
    I don’t need apps like this, or anything else. My phone has an antivirus app!  :D
    Sure, but does your body?  :p

    OK, how about one that works BEFORE you get infected?
    I hear they’re working on the anti-Corona virus app for the body. It’s called a vaccine. 

    Before I get infected? Yes, a mask.  :*
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