Posted on 04/12/2020 10:44:24 AM PDT by rktman
The only catch is that it means granting two of the world’s tech behemoths minute-by-minute updates on our movements *and* our health status. And, in so doing, triggering a cultural shift in which we’ll all be less reluctant to provide information like that to authorities forever after.
Anyway, big, big news:
A number of leading public health authorities, universities, and NGOs around the world have been doing important work to develop opt-in contact tracing technology. To further this cause, Apple and Google will be launching a comprehensive solution that includes application programming interfaces (APIs) and operating system-level technology to assist in enabling contact tracing. Given the urgent need, the plan is to implement this solution in two steps while maintaining strong protections around user privacy.
First, in May, both companies will release APIs that enable interoperability between Android and iOS devices using apps from public health authorities. These official apps will be available for users to download via their respective app stores.
Second, in the coming months, Apple and Google will work to enable a broader Bluetooth-based contact tracing platform by building this functionality into the underlying platforms. This is a more robust solution than an API and would allow more individuals to participate, if they choose to opt in, as well as enable interaction with a broader ecosystem of apps and government health authorities. Privacy, transparency, and consent are of utmost importance in this effort, and we look forward to building this functionality in consultation with interested stakeholders. We will openly publish information about our work for others to analyze.
(Excerpt) Read more at hotair.com ...
Faraday bag.
i can’t eat apples and look googly-eyed at the sky without getting tracked now?
What’s an apple, and who is this google fella?
I’ve thought about keeping a secondary burner flip phone.
LOL! There is that. Most folks are to dense to understand the ramifications. They should go look at their google location tracker sometime.
One of the changes that need to happen from this, trade my smart phone for a powerful walki-talki.
They implement this and I pull the battery from my phone. Done. Not even a question in my book.
Our geek overloads.
The geeks have never controlled the jocks if you get my metaphor. Don’t suspect this is the geeks’ moment to prevail either.
They must not want people to know that if you place your phone into a stainless steel drink shaker your phone can’t be traced or followed in any way.
Do they want us to know that?
I’m with you, sir.
Does no one simply leave their phone at home anymore? I mean... if you don’t want to be tracked, leave it at home. And drive an old car not loaded down with “smart” options.
Another example of how this epidemic will change our society and culture: we will go back to the perfectly adequate system of getting our messages when we get home, quite a nice innovation when it first appeared, instead of hanging on our phone like a life preserver second by second.
Until you take it out of there and it pings a tower. :-)
They’re just making APIs. Which I’m kind of surprised didn’t already exist. Somebody still has to make the app, and you have to install it.
LOL! Points and plugs are hard to find these days. I had a turn signal issue on Mrs rktman’s car. Ended up one of the 5 computers was screwed up. For a friggin’ turn signal? Really? Crazy.
This is far too much energy on an after the fact reactive approach rather than a forward looking proactive approach. We can’t just hunker down and hide.
Covid-19 is just one virus. The next one may be far more deadly. Terrorists have been watching this disaster and will likely launch a more deadly version.
We need to reduce the cycle time of the development of vaccines and effective treatments for viruses like this. This is where the energy should be directed once covid-19 is dealt with so we can plan for the next one.
I have Windows. :D
Or just remove the battery.
I could see them quietly adding the functionality to the next OS versions which will be required to be able to run the latest and greatest new iPhones or Androids. Gotta keep up you know!
I have been doing exactly that which you mention for some time now. I very often leave the phone in my house when I leave the house. If a call while I’m out is important the person will leave a message.
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