With the rapid increase in the COVID-19 cases globally, Governments across the world have created Bluetooth-based contact tracing apps. In India, Narendra Modi-led Government has created the Aarogya Setu app, which provides tracking and information pertaining to COVID-19. Even though Microsoft Founder Bill Gates has appreciated the app, Microsoft President Brad Smith is of the opinion about the reliability of the Bluetooth-based contact tracing technology apps. Smith expressed concerns over the adoption of the Bluetooth tracking apps on a broad and meaningful scale globally.
It is to be noted that Apple and Google have announced the release of the Exposure Notifications System. The new system will enable public health authorities to develop their own Bluetooth-based COVID-19 apps with adequate privacy protection methods. According to sources, nearly 23 countries on five continents have requested access to the API. Moreover, the companies have also provided access to the API to a few countries.
During his interaction with Daniela Rus, Director, MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Smith expressed doubt over the large meaningful scale of the implementation of the Bluetooth-based contact tracing apps. He said that not all people will walk on the roads with an app installed on their phones. There are people who still make use of feature phones and hence the contact tracking apps might not be helpful in those cases.
According to Smith, the contact tracing apps should be recognized only as a tool and not a panacea. Smith also added that even though work from home has plenty of benefits, it also adds certain levels of unpredictability. There are reports that companies like Facebook and Twitter have given an option for the employees to work from home.
You can install the apps such as Aarogya Setu but you should not completely believe the data produced on it. However, the tool provides a birds-eye view of the vital parameters and analytics. The app helps you to learn the various ways by which you can combat COVID-19.
If you are unaware, Microsoft had developed a chatbot to enable people to determine whether they need to undergo a COVID-19 test or not. The Redmond-based software giant had deployed the app at a hospital in Seattle, Washington. The chatbot app was rolled out globally and has been used by 190 million times in April. The MIT report states that the Microsoft chatbot is currently available at 1500 institutions across 23 countries.
