France asks Google and Apple to facilitate the work of their coronavirus "app"

France asks Google and Apple to facilitate the work of their coronavirus "app"

France, one of the countries that are suffering the most from the effects of the coronavirus, has become the first state to ask Google and Apple to lower their privacy protocols for tracking users. The objective is for the technology companies to allow access to Bluetooth from the devices to the "app" that the French government is developing to combat the pandemic. Something they consider necessary for the application, which they intend to launch on May 11, to be functional.

According to "Reuters," the planned "app" would warn users if they come into contact with anyone infected with the coronavirus to help contain the epidemic. And, for this, it is necessary for companies to collaborate. "We are asking Apple to lift the technical hurdle to allow us to develop a European sovereign healthcare solution that will be tied to our healthcare system," French digital affairs minister Cédric O said in an interview with "Bloomberg."

Furthermore, "Reuters" claims that a government official said Apple refuses to change the privacy settings of their phones to make them compatible with the French government application. Also, in a closed-door hearing on Monday, Cedric O told members of the Senate that Apple resisted French demands to allow the future application to be discoverable via Bluetooth even when it is not active.

It should be remembered that Google and Apple reached a historic agreement last week by which they promised to develop a digital tool that helps governments and citizens to combat the pandemic. Although having privacy limits when sharing data with other applications.

As we explain, the Apple and Google tool is based on Bluetooth-Low Energy. A short-range wireless technology that will allow the exchange of data and information when two "smartphones" are nearby. But, in turn, it would be very restrictive with geolocation data. According to the plan of these companies, when a person tests positive, they will be the ones to enter this information into an "app" of the health institutions in their country or region.

At the time of this operation, people with whom the infected has been in contact receive a warning notification, in which the health institutions in their country tell them what to do next.