The CDC's guidance on contact tracing apps align with Apple and Google
What you need to know
- The CDC has released new guidance around contact tracing apps.
- Their guidance aligns with the kind of system and Apple and Google are building.
- The companies are expected to show examples of apps using their technology next week.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have published a new document that outlines what the agency believes to be the critical feature necessary for a successful contact tracing app. Reported by CNBC the contents of the document seem to indicate that Apple and Google's solution falls in line with the CDC's thinking.
Apple and Google opened their API to developers today, and according to CNBC, the companies plan to show examples of apps using the technology next week.
Apple and Google's contact tracing apps, while beneficial, won't replace traditional case management software. Whereas the apps are built to be used by individuals, case management software is designed to be used by the health agencies themselves. The upcoming contact tracing apps are, according to the CDC, to be "used in addition to contact tracing case management tools."
The next phase of Apple and Google's efforts will be to build contact tracing directly into each respective operating system to make it even easier for users to opt into the program.
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Joe Wituschek is a Contributor at iMore. With over ten years in the technology industry, one of them being at Apple, Joe now covers the company for the website. In addition to covering breaking news, Joe also writes editorials and reviews for a range of products. He fell in love with Apple products when he got an iPod nano for Christmas almost twenty years ago. Despite being considered a "heavy" user, he has always preferred the consumer-focused products like the MacBook Air, iPad mini, and iPhone 13 mini. He will fight to the death to keep a mini iPhone in the lineup. In his free time, Joe enjoys video games, movies, photography, running, and basically everything outdoors.