"Apple and Google will reportedly ban location tracking in apps that use their proprietary COVID-19 contact tracing system. According to Reuters, the two tech companies—which teamed up to help slow the spread of novel coronavirus—will not allow GPS data collection.
Instead, public health authorities that want to access location information about patients must rely on what Google and Apple describe as "unstable, battery-draining workarounds," Reuters says. Privacy advocates, however, worry that collecting that data puts it at risk of being breached, allowing anyone with an internet connection to see if you've had COVID-19.
Early versions of the contact-tracing platform rolled out to iOS and Android developers last week. The system uses Bluetooth signals to perform a "digital handshake" between smartphone owners; people can opt in and turn on notifications, and patients will be able to anonymously warn people of their positive diagnosis. Without GPS data, though, apps won't be able to establish details like how outbreaks move or hotspot locations.
Google and Apple aim to release the project later this year to some 2 billion phones around the world. The companies encourage health officials to build only one official app per country—in hopes of avoiding fragmentation and encouraging adoption. They will, however, support state and regional approaches, as well."
pcmag.com/news/apple-google-ban-gps-data-collection-in-covid-19-contact-tracing-apps