Question

1. Is the development and implementation of an operating system-level contact tracing platform a good business decision and partnership for Apple and Google? Why or why not?
2. What are some ethical business issues that Apple and Google will encounter as they invest time, resources, and capital into the development and deployment of this technology? Please provide details.
3. Due to the societal importance of contact tracing to help slow the spread of COVID-19, should this function be switched from an opt-in to a mandatory function of all mobile phones? Why or why not?

*Across the world, governments and health authorities are working together to find solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic, to protect people and get society back up and running. Software developers are contributing by crafting technical tools to help combat the virus and save lives. In this spirit of collaboration, Google and Apple are announcing a joint effort to enable the use of Bluetooth technology to help governments and health agencies reduce the spread of the virus, with user privacy and security central to the design.

Since COVID-19 can be transmitted through close proximity to affected individuals, public health officials have identified contact tracing as a valuable tool to help contain its spread. A number of leading public health authorities, universities, and NGOs around the world have been doing important work to develop opt-in contact tracing technology. To further this cause, Apple and Google will be launching a comprehensive solution that includes application programming interfaces (APIs) and operating system-level technology to assist in enabling contact tracing. Given the urgent need, the plan is to implement this solution in two steps while maintaining strong protections around user privacy.

First, in May, both companies will release APIs that enable interoperability between Android and iOS devices using apps from public health authorities. These official apps will be available for users to download via their respective app stores.

Second, in the coming months, Apple and Google will work to enable a broader Bluetooth-based contact tracing platform by building this functionality into the underlying platforms. This is a more robust solution than an API and would allow more individuals to participate, if they choose to opt in, as well as enable interaction with a broader ecosystem of apps and government health authorities. Privacy, transparency, and consent are of utmost importance in this effort, and we look forward to building this functionality in consultation with interested stakeholders. We will openly publish information about our work for others to analyze.

All of us at Apple and Google believe there has never been a more important moment to work together to solve one of the world’s most pressing problems. Through close cooperation and collaboration with developers, governments and public health providers, we hope to harness the power of technology to help countries around the world slow the spread of COVID-19 and accelerate the return of everyday life.

Answer 1

Apple Google partnership considered to be an efective measure taken in this pandemic situation. If this is successful, it may be the first step in turning the tide against the pandemic and moving society back to a more normal life.

Google and Apple have joined hands to launch a comprehensive solution for COVID-19 which includes APIs and operating system level technology. These two companies announced a rare joint project to create the groundwork for Bluetooth-based contact-tracing apps that can work across both iOS and Android phones. This contact tracing involves figuring out who an infected person has been in contact with and trying to prevent them from infecting others.

Also, Contact-tracing will available on Android 6.0 and above version, Marshmallow and Apple phone. The advantage of that system is that it doesn’t depend on collecting location data. The tech giants are using smart engineering to use their power as a force for good without compromising privacy. Thus it will support privacy of the phone users. To protect against privacy concerns, the companies are using short-range Bluetooth technology that won’t track physical locations or collect data that could reveal a person’s identity. The service will be opt-in only and use anonymous ID keys that will change often.

In my opinion, Apple and Google seem to have figured out a way to use their power for the good of society, while creatively protecting the public’s privacy through smart engineering. This system also could offer a high-tech supplement using a device that billions of people already own.

Due to the societal importance of contact tracing to help slow the spread of COVID-19, should this function be switched from an opt-in to a mandatory function of all mobile phones? Why or why not?

Organizations all around the world are coming together and finding innovative ways to minimize the impact on public health and to limit disruptions to economies and supply chains.

Tech gaints have the authority as well as the responsibility to help the government slow and overall stop the spread of COVID-19. With great amount of users involved and high tech capabilities, it becomes necessary for them to understand the need of the pandemic situation.These tech companies should aim to improve the understanding of the disease’s spread and help public health organizations and nonprofits to curb the growth of this disease.

For example Facebook moved a step further than Google, announcing a suite of global disease prevention maps as well as a survey tool for identifying coronavirus hotspots. By this method, researchers can build data around social distancing into their models for the expected path of the disease, hopefully resulting in better predictions.

Also, these companies need a global network of people drawn from throughout the organization that can coordinate and adapt as events unfold, reacting immediately and appropriately to disruptions such as lapses in communication inside and outside the organization and losses of physical and human resources. It needs to engage in creative and collaborative yet disciplined problem solving operation.