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The Government of Canada is building an exposure notification app to help stop the spread of #COVID19. ( https://bit.ly/3ep1I9l )
We’re leading the technology implementation, building off of the work of some partners
Here are a few answers to questions about the tech:
We’re leading the technology implementation, building off of the work of some partners
Here are a few answers to questions about the tech:
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No. The exposure notification app doesn’t link to a person’s identity or follow their location.
It’s a system that notifies people if their device has been in close proximity to a device whose owner has tested positive for COVID-19.
![[1/2]No. The exposure notification app doesn’t link to a person’s identity or follow their location.It’s a system that notifies people if their device has been in close proximity to a device whose owner has tested positive for COVID-19.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EbIsbveWsAAgMzg.jpg "[1/2]No. The exposure notification app doesn’t link to a person’s identity or follow their location.It’s a system that notifies people if their device has been in close proximity to a device whose owner has tested positive for COVID-19.")
No. The exposure notification app doesn’t link to a person’s identity or follow their location.
It’s a system that notifies people if their device has been in close proximity to a device whose owner has tested positive for COVID-19.
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The app is one of many tools in a nationwide toolkit for stopping the spread of the virus.
The app is one of many tools in a nationwide toolkit for stopping the spread of the virus.
The app builds on tech developed by @Shopify volunteers, @Apple & @Google. We’re customizing their open code into an app that Canadians can download & install. It’ll undergo an independent security review by @BlackBerry & @CyberCentre_ca.
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The app assigns an encrypted key to the device that pings other users of the app via Bluetooth when they’re within range.
![[1/3]The app assigns an encrypted key to the device that pings other users of the app via Bluetooth when they’re within range.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EbItK5CXgAEPrCH.jpg "[1/3]The app assigns an encrypted key to the device that pings other users of the app via Bluetooth when they’re within range.")
The app assigns an encrypted key to the device that pings other users of the app via Bluetooth when they’re within range.
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If someone tests positive, they enter a unique one-time code from their health care worker into the app. The app will notify other users who, in the past 14 days, may have been exposed to someone that’s tested positive for the virus.
If someone tests positive, they enter a unique one-time code from their health care worker into the app. The app will notify other users who, in the past 14 days, may have been exposed to someone that’s tested positive for the virus.
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The encrypted keys and one-time codes are the only pieces of information collected by the app and stored on Canadian servers for 15 days, then deleted.
The encrypted keys and one-time codes are the only pieces of information collected by the app and stored on Canadian servers for 15 days, then deleted.
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No. Apple & Google have built in safeguards to ensure that exposure notification apps cannot access or share your location.
As a condition for using the technology, no one can use this app to track device locations.
![[1/2]No. Apple & Google have built in safeguards to ensure that exposure notification apps cannot access or share your location.As a condition for using the technology, no one can use this app to track device locations.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EbItlCpWsAE2yQi.jpg "[1/2]No. Apple & Google have built in safeguards to ensure that exposure notification apps cannot access or share your location.As a condition for using the technology, no one can use this app to track device locations.")
No. Apple & Google have built in safeguards to ensure that exposure notification apps cannot access or share your location.
As a condition for using the technology, no one can use this app to track device locations.
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For extra assurance, the API won’t work without a corresponding application from public health agencies.
For extra assurance, the API won’t work without a corresponding application from public health agencies.
While the phone will need to be turned on and with you to work, it doesn’t use data beyond the download of the app or upload of keys if you test positive.
It will run in the background using Bluetooth & check in with the key server a few times a day.
It will run in the background using Bluetooth & check in with the key server a few times a day.
The app will pull a small amount of energy from a battery, but will not drain it. It’ll operate in the background and only check for Bluetooth beacons from other devices roughly every 5 mins.
We’re working in the open as we test and build the app with and for Canadians.
Follow along: https://github.com/cds-snc/covid-shield-mobile
Follow along: https://github.com/cds-snc/covid-shield-mobile
