Apple and Google say they are partnering on technology to inform people if they’ve been exposed to the coronavirus. Contact tracing is seen as an integral step in re-opening society before a COVID-19 vaccine exists.

Here’s how the Bluetooth-enabled, opt-in platform will work: If a user tests positive for COVID-19, they can enter the result into an app. Then, other users who have had close physical contact with the coronavirus-positive user within the previous 14 days will be alerted.

Privacy advocates warn that some mobile-based contact tracing technology can threaten users’ privacy, but the ACLU says the Apple/Google platform 'appears to mitigate the worst privacy and centralization risks' by leveraging Bluetooth technology.