Just yesterday only, we talked about Apple & Google developing an app with the vision of preventing probable COVID-19 cases all over the world. And recently, we received news about France releasing a statement saying Apple isn’t helping the country as it should to help the crisis in a better way.
It may be a rumor from any of the sides, however, who would want to be the one that’s not even thinking about being united now.
Also Read: Location Tracking Ban on COVID-19 Contact Tracing Apps
France’s Attempt With StopCOVID App to Fight COVID-19 Pandemic
For now, the whole world is struggling to find a way to stop the spreading of this deadly virus, let alone it’s cure. Every country or region is trying something on their own to develop a new app or promoting social distancing to stop the spread.
Recently, France announced the digital support it’s using to fight the Novel Coronavirus: Reuters reports that The Digital Affairs Minister, Cedric O presented the app as a key element of France’s strategy to stave off the coronavirus as authorities grapple with the prospect of mass testing.
France’s state-supported “StopCOVID” contact-tracing app should enter its testing phase in the week of May 11 when the country starts to unwind its lockdown, a government minister said on Sunday.
France Talking About Apple Not Helping With StopCOVID App
No matter how innovative & advanced the app these two giants (Apple & Google) are coming up with, France doesn’t want to use the same. There can be unknown reasons not to use the app or reject the one that’s been developed out of France.
Minister O writes, “French health and technological sovereignty … is the freedom for our country to be able to have the choice and not be constrained by the choices of a large company, however innovative and efficient it may be.”
Reuters says, French officials want Apple to change the settings to let their app access Bluetooth in the background, so it is always on. So far, they say, Apple has refused.
“Apple could have helped us make the application work even better on the iPhone. They have not wished to do so,” France’s minister for digital technology, Cedric O, told BFM Business TV.
“I regret this, given that we are in a period where everyone is mobilized to fight against the epidemic, and given that a large company that is doing so well economically is not helping out a government in this crisis” […]
O Said that “he could not explain the reasoning behind Apple’s decision on Bluetooth.”
1stly, The statement from French Minister Cedric O was about Apple not helping with Bluetooth on the iPhone while using the StopCOVID app.
Normally iPhone functionalities include blocking access to Bluetooth unless the user is currently running an app. All the French government wanted from Apple was to customize the functionality a little bit so that the app could access Bluetooth in the background. French officials say that “Apple has refused.”
The COVID-19 stop-spreading-mission apps will be working on the Bluetooth feature that will allow the devices to get in touch with other nearby devices. This eventually will track the people who are carrying the device if he/she is potentially a COVID-19 patient.
Almost every country is trying to develop an individual app to fight Novel Coronavirus, however, many of them are showing support to upcoming app from Apple & Google collab as well.
A few countries weren’t so sure about adapting to API supporting app but gradually they are opening their gates for the app, as it’s innovative and effective.
Apple & Google Collaborated For App Building
Apple & Google talked about the collaboration to develop a Contact tracing app that will be working on Bluetooth only, not GPS location tracking. The companies went public to announce the news to try & help the world in any way they can in this drastic situation.
Contact tracing can help slow the spread of COVID-19 and can be done without compromising user privacy. We’re working with @sundarpichai & @Google to help health officials harness Bluetooth technology in a way that also respects transparency & consent. https://t.co/94XlbmaGZV
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 10, 2020
“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.” – Apple
What’s Your Take
After knowing about this incident, almost everyone would have their own takes on this topic. From blaming Apple to supporting France or vice versa, we would have to wait to get more info to get assurance on this incident.
Don’t forget to share what you think about the statements from French officials about Apple refusing to help.
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