Recently, the subject of iPhone COVID tracking has caught the attention of iOS users everywhere.
As millions live with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, many eyes turn to how that pandemic will change our world. Lately, some of that attention has focused on an iPhone update that some say is unwillingly tracking their personal information.
While many are scared of that very possibility, the truth isn’t quite so simple as some would lead you to believe. Here is what we know about iPhone COVID tracking:
Why Are People Talking About an iPhone Tracking App?
A few weeks ago, Apple users became suspicious of a reported iPad and iPhone COVID tracking app.
Many initial reports suggested the worst. The information was picked up by various conspiracy groups who said Apple had installed a tracking app on their devices. They stated that the app claimed it was tracking your location and actions in order to warn you of potential exposure to COVD-19.
There were many in those same groups who also said that the app was really being used to monitor your actions for more nefarious purposes. They began to question why Apple had secretly installed this technology seemingly without permission from the users.
As this story started to spread, people noticed that there was actually COVID 19-related tracking information on their iOS devices. At the time, Apple had not commented on the nature of this technology. This led many people to believe the worst.
Did Apple Upload an iPhone COVID Tracking App?
The shortest answer to that question is “no.” For a more detailed answer, we direct you to this joint statement from Google and Apple regarding the reported technology:
“One of the most effective techniques that public health officials have used during outbreaks is called contact tracing. Through this approach, public health officials contact, test, treat, and advise people who may have been exposed to an affected person. One new element of contact tracing is Exposure Notifications: using privacy-preserving digital technology to tell someone they may have been exposed to the virus. Exposure Notification has the specific goal of rapid notification, which is especially important to slowing the spread of the disease with a virus that can be spread asymptomatically.”
“To help, Apple and Google cooperated to build Exposure Notifications technology that will enable apps created by public health agencies to work more accurately, reliably, and effectively across both Android phones and iPhones. Over the last several weeks, our two companies have worked together, reaching out to public health officials, scientists, privacy groups, and government leaders all over the world to get their input and guidance.”
Essentially, Apple did not upload an iPhone COVID tracking app. Instead, they provided an API update designed to make COVID tracking easier for existing health apps. Apple and Google have suggested that they may eventually allow the tracker to work outside of a third-party app. For the moment, though, the only way you can be tracked is if you download a compatible app and agree to submit relevant information.
At the moment, there do not appear to be any apps that take full use of that technology. The issue of their development is tied up in state and local courts. There also seem to be additional technological hurdles to clear.
What Information Does iPhone COVID Tracking Collect?
At the moment, it doesn’t seem that any information is being collected. That’s because we’ve yet to see the release of any official apps specifically designed to collect that information.
The idea behind this technology is pretty simple, though. Let’s assume that you have one of those theoretical health apps installed on your device. This app would likely use the iPhone COVID tracking API (and existing technology) to request your location and other basic information.
It’s then that a couple of things could happen. The first is that you are diagnosed with COVID-19. At the moment, the idea is that you would voluntarily submit that information to the app. There is currently no call for required submission or involuntary submission. There is also no indication that the person who is diagnosed would ever be identified to other users.
Should you choose to submit information, the app would use that information to notify other users of infections in their area. It may even eventually notify those close to the infected that they are at particularly high risk. However, the specifics of that possibility haven’t been discussed just yet.
The other possibility involves you as somebody who hasn’t been infected. In that instance, it seems that such apps would just track your location. They would then use that information to ensure you have a better idea of how many infected people are in your area. Medical professionals would also be able to use that information to better track and treat high-risk locations.
To summarize, it seems that the plan is for this technology to automatically track your location and require manual submissions for most other information.
How Do You Disable iPhone COVID Tracking?
At the moment, there’s little cause to disable iPhone COVID tracking technology as it’s really not doing anything in its current state. However, here is how you will able to disable exposure logging:
- Open the Settings section of your iPhone
- Tap on the Privacy option
- Tap on Health
- Select the COVID-19 Exposure Logging section
- At the moment, you should see that this option is disabled. If and when those apps do come out, you’ll be able to toggle the logging and notifications on an off via this area. You can also choose to not download the apps that would allow tracking to occur at all.
- You also have the option to manually delete “Exposure Logs” at the bottom of this section. This action can be performed at any time if you have downloaded and enabled a corresponding tracking app.
For more information regarding state policies on enabling COVID-19 tracking, be sure to consult this website.
