The GSM Association, the body that represents mobile carriers and influences the development of standards, has suggested its members bake virus contact-tracing functionality into their own bundled software.
The body today popped out a paper [PDF] on contact-tracing apps. After some unremarkable observations about the need for and operations of such apps, plus an explanation of the centralised vs. centralised data storage debate, the paper offers members a section titled: “How the mobile industry can help.”
That section suggests carriers could help to improve the reach of and disseminate such apps with the following three tactics:
- Integrate software into own apps (e.g. customer self-care app), if this is part of the national strategy
- Pre-install on devices
- Communicate to / educate subscribers
The first item may prove unworkable given Google and Apple have indicated they’ll only register coronavirus-related apps if they’re developed by governments and their health agencies. The two tech giants have also said they’ll only allow one app per jurisdiction to use their pro-privacy COVID-19 contact-tracing interface. The second suggestion also has potential pitfalls as contact-tracing apps are generally opt-in affairs. Carriers would need to be sensitive about how they are installed and the user experience offered if the apps ask for registration.
Robin Edgar
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