Federal and Ontario privacy commissioners have concluded their review of the country’s new COVID-19 exposure notification app and support its use after initial privacy and security concerns.
The app is designed to notify users when they’ve been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.Newsletter sign-up: Get The COVID-19 Brief sent to your inbox
The use of the app is voluntary and commissioners say it has been developed with robust safeguards; however, they also noted the risk of third parties who may seek to compel the app’s users to disclose information. “The Canadian COVID Alert app is ultimately as notable for what it doesn’t do as for what it does,” Geist wrote. “The voluntary app does not collect personal information nor provide the government with location information. The app merely runs in the background on an Apple or Android phone using bluetooth technology to identify other devices that come within 2 metres for a period of 15 minutes or more.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'It's been 19 weeks now': COVID-19 'long-hauler' describes her lasting symptomsAn Ontario woman says she’s been living with COVID-19 symptoms for 19 weeks, and she’s sharing her story in hopes of warning others about possible long-term side effects of the virus.
Read more »
COVID-19 Travel restrictions inspire Canadian border communities to band together for groceries, suppliesIn co\u002Dordination with the Beaver Creek Community Club, the local White River First Nation planned a five\u002Dhour trip to Whitehorse and collected shopping lists from residents, prohibiting only cigarettes and alcohol
Read more »
COVID-19 Travel restrictions inspire Canadian border communities to band together for groceries, suppliesIn co\u002Dordination with the Beaver Creek Community Club, the local White River First Nation planned a five\u002Dhour trip to Whitehorse and collected shopping lists from residents, prohibiting only cigarettes and alcohol
Read more »
Canadian military to fly old rescue planes longer as COVID-19 pandemic delays new aircraftDefence officials are playing down any significant impact from the latest delay, which has left the first new search-and-rescue plane built by Airbus stranded in Spain
Read more »