With the announcement a few months ago of the collaboration between Google and Apple to create an exposure platform for COVID-19, Spain launched its first pilot using this technology a few weeks ago. Under the name of Radar COVID in the form of an app for iPhone and Android, it is initially operational only on the island of La Gomera in the Canary Islands and in test mode. We have tried it and this is what we have found.
A pilot who uses Apple and Google technology with privacy by flag
The app can be downloaded from the App Store on any iPhone. The only requirement to use it is to have iOS 13.5 installed, which is the version that incorporates the exposure notification. When we open it, we are presented with an introduction to the app with what it does, how it does it and what for.
The idea is that the user can communicate his positive of the disease anonymously. By doing so, the app will send a notice to everyone you have come across in the last 14 days so they are alert and can be tested. If necessary, they should remain at home to avoid further contagion.
Despite the fears of some, the app follows the guide established by Apple and Google to preserve the anonymity of users
As indicated by the app itself, the tracking occurs anonymously. The app does not require a phone number, email or any other identifying information. There is also no monitoring using GPS, although that has not prevented suspicions. This functionality, as is evident, would consume a lot of battery and would also require the approval of the corresponding permission by the user.
How exposure notification works
This app based on the technology developed by both technology giants uses only the Bluetooth antenna. With this antenna, the devices that have downloaded the app and have given permission, are emitting a signal to the devices that surround them. Those “contacts” are completely anonymous and are kept for 14 days.
If any of the people you have come across are positive, those users will be alerted. For this, the user who has tested positive must:
- With the app activated, you must press the positive button for COVID-19.
- There you will be asked to enter the code included in the test, for verification.
- By accepting, an alert will be sent to people with whom we have had contact.
The user retains control of the data and their participation in the contact program at all times. From the iPhone Settings, we have several controls that allow us to “rescind” the related permissions. Both in the app and in a specific section of iOS, as shown in the screenshots above.
Here we will see the number of times your registration has been requested in the last 14 days. And of course, we can delete our data and unsubscribe. As it is a simulation, the app is not yet functional for the rest of Spain We will have to wait for the authorities to deploy it to the rest of the country after this test to be useful in combating the coronavirus.
Note: the Radar COVID app is not yet functional in iOS 14, so if you want to try it out completely do not install the beta.