Apple Expands Exposure Notification API With 'Express' Option That Doesn't Require an App

[MacRumors]

Apple is today releasing iOS 13.7 with a major step forward in the Exposure Notification API that's available for public health authorities to use for their COVID-19 contact tracing efforts. Exposure Notifications Express is designed to provide simpler deployment of regional exposure notifications without the need to develop or maintain an app.

The new Exposure Notifications Express system will also let users in participating states opt into the system more easily, while still maintaining focusing on privacy and security.

When upgrading to the new iOS 13.7 update, users in states who have agreed to use Exposure Notifications Express will be provided with a notification letting them know that exposure notifications are now available in their state. Tapping the notification will open up the Settings where they can turn on Exposure Notification without downloading an app. From Apple and Google:

"As the next step in our work with public health authorities on Exposure Notifications, we are making it easier and faster for them to use the Exposure Notifications System without the need for them to build and maintain an app. Exposure Notifications Express provides another option for public health authorities to supplement their existing contact tracing operations with technology without compromising on the project's core tenets of user privacy and security. Existing apps using the Exposure Notification API will be compatible with Exposure Notifications Express, and we are committed to supporting public health authorities that have deployed or are building custom apps."

To develop Exposure Notifications Express, Apple consulted with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the CDC Foundation, the Association of Public Health Laboratories, the American Public Health Association, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, the National Association of County and City Health Officials, and the Task Force for Global Health.

States that use Exposure Notifications express will not need to develop an app and can instead provide Apple and Google with information about how to reach the public health authority, guidance for residents, and recommendations on potential actions. Public health authorities provide a name, logo, criteria for triggering an exposure notification, and the materials to be presented to users in case of exposure, with Apple and Google using this information to offer an Exposure Notifications System to customers on behalf of the public health authority.

Maryland, Nevada, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. will be the first areas to use Exposure Notifications Express. iOS and Android Exposure Notifications will be fully interoperable with one another and existing Exposure Notifications apps that have rolled out. Public health authorities can still choose to build their own custom apps instead of using Exposure Notifications Express.

More than 20 countries and regions have already created and launched apps that use the Exposure Notification API, with more on the way. In the U.S., 25 states, territories, and the District of Columbia have been working on Exposure Notification solutions, with apps launched in Virginia, North Dakota, Wyoming, Alabama, Arizona, and Nevada.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Article Link: Apple Expands Exposure Notification API With 'Express' Option That Doesn't Require an App

 

[ipedro]

I’ve had 3 friends warned in the app. They got tested and despite being asymptomatic, all three were positive. They’re all self isolating, which will save the lives of those who they would have otherwise exposed. The system works.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Love New Release Tuesdays!

 

[Amazing Iceman]

I’ve had friends warned in the app.

Good, because if your friend makes you sick knowing he was exposed, then he's not a good friend.

 

[zorinlynx]

It's taken so long to roll this stuff out, and it's still not available in all areas. It would have been a lot more useful a few months ago.

 

[Just sayin...]

Anything updated/changed besides the Exposure Notification Express system?

 

[Jdizzle188]

Does this mean “exposure notifications” will get the dedicated option in the settings homepage like on iOS 14 then?

 

[jav6454]

I'll wait a few days before installing.

 

[calzon65]

Would like to see other bug fixes besides improving COVID tracking.

 

[destroyer2012]

Utah is paying millions for a solution that is unsafe and insecure and worse. Its unbelievable actually

 

[Trik]

It's taken so long to roll this stuff out, and it's still not available in all areas. It would have been a lot more useful a few months ago.

I would post comments on a failure of American leadership, but we're not in the Political forum, and don't want start a flame war. Let's just say... I completely agree with you.

 

[iOS Geek]

One little bit of info on this system that may quell some skepticism that people may have (I'll admit I was skeptical in the beginning, mainly because of Google's involvement).

On iOS 14, they have a pretty extensive explanation of how it works, what it does, what steps they've taken for privacy, etc. On the bottom of the page, you see this (Screenshot posted below). If you were someone who questioned whether or not this system would be "repurposed" for things other than COVID...it seems like that answer will be "no". This may very well be something that does NOT stick around.

 

[simonmet]

I still have huge reservations, mainly about its effectiveness rather than security or privacy (whom I trust more than our government), but this has all been debated to death.

In the meantime, I'll continue signing in to every restaurant/cafe/pub/bar, which is required in my state, while health authorities are able to contact and trace users of public transport. It has proven effective. At least in Sydney we've managed to avoid a second wave, unlike those <insert jibe> Victorians.

 

[C DM]

One little bit of info on this system that may quell some skepticism that people may have (I'll admit I was skeptical in the beginning, mainly because of Google's involvement).

On iOS 14, they have a pretty extensive explanation of how it works, what it does, what steps they've taken for privacy, etc. On the bottom of the page, you see this (Screenshot posted below). If you were someone who questioned whether or not this system would be "repurposed" for things other than COVID...it seems like that answer will be "no". This may very well be something that does NOT stick around.View attachment 949347

Well, it can be all enabled/disabled by the end user too.

 

[armandxp]

I’ve had 3 friends warned in the app. They got tested and despite being asymptomatic, all three were positive. They’re all self isolating, which will save the lives of those who they would have otherwise exposed. The system works.

View attachment 949346

That’s awesome!

 

[Pirate!]

I still have huge reservations, mainly about its effectiveness rather than security or privacy, but this has all been debated to death.

In the meantime, I'll continue signing in to every restaurant/pub/bar, which is required in my state, while health authorities are able to contact and trace users of public transport.

What state is that? I haven’t heard of that requirement before.

 

[ipedro]

I still have huge reservations, mainly about its effectiveness rather than security or privacy, but this has all been debated to death.

In the meantime, I'll continue signing in to every restaurant/pub/bar, which is required in my state, while health authorities are able to contact and trace users of public transport.

See the first comment if you doubt its effectiveness.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Really, I don't see it on the regular Software Update. I do not see it in the Dev Site yet either except for the last beta.
As usual, it may be released some time after 10:00 am PDT today.

 

[jocamero]

Where do you live???

I'll continue signing in to every restaurant/pub/bar, which is required in my state

 

[gianic]

It's taken so long to roll this stuff out, and it's still not available in all areas. It would have been a lot more useful a few months ago.

Yes, exactly! What's the holdup? I don't know why California companies work together to make this happen and California doesn't have it available. Am I missing something?

 

[katbel]

Going to wait to see how battery is going to behave...being burned already

 

[David1964]

Too late.All 5 of my iDevices are now running the iOS/iPadOS 14 beta.

 

[nutmac]

I would post comments on a failure of American leadership, but we're not in the Political forum, and don't want start a flame war. Let's just say... I completely agree with you.

I don't understand why things had to escalate politically.

If this matter was taken more seriously (it still isn't), 2% of Americans would not be infected with COVID-19 and over 3% fatality rate. Those figures are more common with developing countries (assuming they are tested more thoroughly).

And I am frankly more mad at selfish people not concerned with vulnerable neighbors. If all of us take this more seriously, most businesses can re-open, which is a win-win for everyone.

 

[WiseAJ]

Would be great now if all states were participating and worked across state lines. I'm daily in both Oregon and Washington

 

[iOS Geek]

Well, it can be all enabled/disabled by the end user too.

Yes it can, absolutely! But think of it as piece of mind in a way. Soooooooo many people, when this system was first announced, were skeptical beyond belief. One of the big things I remember reading was "when it's no longer needed for COVID, they'll just find something else to use it for". It kind of falls in line with the people who mention how much power the government has gotten during this situation and wonder how much of that power will they give up when the situation settles. (Which I also admit is a question I am asking. I'm a little concerned about my governor). Telling people that this system was an "opt IN" and not an "opt OUT because you're in by default" didn't seem to help much. They still didn't like the idea behind it or trust it.

Apple explicitly stating that this system will be disabled...should quell some worries that people have. It is basically Apple outright saying that "this will NOT be repurposed". Who knows...maybe saying that outright was Apple's reaction to the skepticism. It almost seems like a statement subtly saying "ok, shut up, because what you're worried will happen...won't"!