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Dear Canada,
Our COVID Alert app is ready!!! https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/covid-alert.html
If we can get 50% of people using it, we’ll be able to contain pandemic community spread far better.
Best of all? It protects your privacy. It tracks contacts without tracking YOU.
Our COVID Alert app is ready!!! https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/covid-alert.html
If we can get 50% of people using it, we’ll be able to contain pandemic community spread far better.
Best of all? It protects your privacy. It tracks contacts without tracking YOU.
Human-readable privacy outline: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/covid-alert/privacy-policy.html
Detailed privacy assessment: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/covid-alert/privacy-policy/assessment.html (& you can audit code)
tl;dr Your phone swaps codes with other phones in close proximity, then checks if any report having COVID-19. Everything deletes after 2 weeks.
Detailed privacy assessment: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/covid-alert/privacy-policy/assessment.html (& you can audit code)
tl;dr Your phone swaps codes with other phones in close proximity, then checks if any report having COVID-19. Everything deletes after 2 weeks.
Because privacy is baked into this app from the core concepts, no one, not even health officials, can link your codes to your diagnosis.
The trade-off?
It needs newer devices that can constantly run Bluetooth without insta-draining your battery. It’s a hardware limitation.
The trade-off?
It needs newer devices that can constantly run Bluetooth without insta-draining your battery. It’s a hardware limitation.
I was worried about a COVID tracking app. I value public safety, but I’m fiercely protective of my privacy.
I’ve been tracking dev closely, and been so relieved Canada met every recommendation of the privacy commissions. Not all apps are created equal, but this one?
It’s Good.
I’ve been tracking dev closely, and been so relieved Canada met every recommendation of the privacy commissions. Not all apps are created equal, but this one?
It’s Good.
Voluntary compliance (running the app, entering a COVID diagnosis code if you catch it) relies on trust and a desire to protect each other.
I’m deeply grateful our government hasn’t asked us to trust they won’t abuse our data, and instead limited so data never gets collected.
I’m deeply grateful our government hasn’t asked us to trust they won’t abuse our data, and instead limited so data never gets collected.
Officially the app is only rolled out for Ontario so far, but it’s available to all Canadians.
Contact tracking works for the rest us is right now, we just can’t enter a COVID-19 diagnosis code yet. If we download now, we’ll have this week’s contacts tracked when it’s activated.
Contact tracking works for the rest us is right now, we just can’t enter a COVID-19 diagnosis code yet. If we download now, we’ll have this week’s contacts tracked when it’s activated.
I’m running it now in BC. If you can, I hope you do, too.
If we’re close enough for our phones to swap codes, we’re close enough to swap viruses. I keep my distance & wear a mask, but I don’t want to accidentally hurt you. This is another tool to help.
We’re in this together.
If we’re close enough for our phones to swap codes, we’re close enough to swap viruses. I keep my distance & wear a mask, but I don’t want to accidentally hurt you. This is another tool to help.
We’re in this together.
