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Utah rejects Apple-Google approach, endorses alternative contact-tracing app
- npunt 6y agoA few key points: * Built by Twenty for $2.75m + $300k/mo to operate * Doesn't use Apple-Google API * Uses GPS + Bluetooth, sends location history to centralized server * 45k people signed up since 4/22 (21 days ago), 2% of Utah population * Some estimates say ~60% required for contact tracing to be useful, Utah DoH says lower for usefulness * Stated rationale for app is to send data to public health officials unlike Apple-Google decentralized API. Utah has 1200 phone-based contact tracers which apparently will in the future use data to coordinate effort. After downloading the iOS app: * Says it will delete data after 30 days * Requests Bluetooth, GPS set to 'Always', Contacts (to invite people), Notifications * Has daily symptom checker that tell you whether you need a test * Offers map of test centers Seems like a well designed app. I assume like other approaches from European countries etc, this will be subject to background app limitations, requiring user to have app in foreground to get benefits. My take is there's a risk for 'perfect is the enemy of the good', and something built without privacy protections may cause fewer people to download it, thus making contact tracing unviable. Depends a lot on whether Utah can convince its citizens to use it. https://coronavirus.utah.gov/healthy-together-app/ https://coronavirus.utah.gov/healthy-together-app/