Apple and Google clarified on Monday that only public health authorities will have the ability to create apps using its contract-tracing technology. The companies also clarified that their solution is intended to be optional for individuals and governments won't be able to mandate use of the technology.
Why it matters: The clarifications, and others offered by the companies on Monday, aim to address some of the privacy questions raised by the technology.
The tech giants announced Friday they were working together on a smartphone-based system for notifying people if they were in contact with someone that tested positive for the disease.
Apple and Google had been working on the joint effort for the last two and a half weeks. they said Monday.
While other agencies and countries are building their own technologies, Apple and Google said they wanted to create something that offers the maximum public health benefit without compromising individual privacy.
