While Sam and Jane chat, their phones note each others’ Bluetooth signals and the app lists them securely as random numbers. Personal information and location are never recorded.
Excerpt from Arizona Illustrated story, “Opening Safer” Arizona Public Media.
Covid Watch developed a way for people to send each other notifications if they might have been exposed to COVID-19. We use anonymous, local Bluetooth signals to help you take action.
Here’s how it works:
While Sam and Jane chat, their phones note each others’ Bluetooth signals and the app lists them securely as random numbers. Personal information and location are never recorded.
Days later, Sam is positively diagnosed with COVID-19. He shares his diagnosis with the app, which then notifies others who were nearby of possible exposure.
Jane gets a notification saying she was near an anonymous person who tested positive. The app explains what to do next and how to find local resources.
By enabling notifications and staying home when at risk of exposing others, they help prevent the spread of COVID-19 within their communities.