COVID Alert

Together, let’s slow the spread of COVID-19. Canada's COVID Alert app notifies you if someone you were near in the past 14 days tells the app they tested positive.

COVID Alert uses Bluetooth to exchange random codes with nearby phones. It does not use or access any location data. COVID Alert works by determining how far away other phones are by the strength of their Bluetooth signal.

Several times a day, COVID Alert checks a list of codes from people who tell the app they tested positive. You’ll get a notification if a code you received matches one of the positive codes.

If you test positive for COVID-19 you’ll receive a one-time key with your diagnosis to enter into COVID Alert. The app asks permission to share your random codes from the last 14 days with a central server.

Other phones using COVID Alert check the central server periodically throughout the day. If they recorded any codes that match the codes in the central server, their user will be notified that they were exposed.

Brief

COVID Alert is a health application designed to bolster efforts in the containment of COVID-19 in Canada. Exceptionally built with privacy in mind, it relies on Apple and Google's exposure notification framework, not requiring access to personal information or location services. As such, it becomes a tool for Canadians to stay informed about potential exposures without compromising their privacy.

Core Features ?

• Exposure Notifications: Get alerted if you've been near someone who later reports a COVID-19 diagnosis.
• Privacy-First Design: Operates without tracking your location or collecting personal information.
• Health Canada Partnership: Developed in collaboration with the Canadian Digital Service.
• Cross-Provincial Integration: Works across Canada, with ongoing efforts to enable reporting in all provinces and territories.
• National Support: Continue to effectively function regardless of your location within the country.

Pros ?

• Maintains User Anonymity: Ensures no identification of personal details or locations.
• Easy to Use: Simple setup and automatic notifications for exposure.
• Public Health Integration: Supports government efforts to reduce COVID-19 transmission.
• No Internet Requirement: Functions without the need for a continuous internet connection.

Cons ?

• Limited Reporting: Some regions may not yet fully support diagnosis reporting through the app.
• Dependence on User Participation: Effectiveness hinges on widespread use and timely diagnosis reporting.
• Not a Standalone Solution: Works best when combined with other preventative measures like vaccination and social distancing.
• Variable Updates: Information is as current as the users' reports, which might vary in timeliness.

Pricing ?

COVID Alert is a free application with no in-app purchases, ensuring that its protective benefits are accessible to all Canadian residents at no cost.

With a focus on public health and privacy, COVID Alert serves as a critical tool in Canada's collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic. By prioritizing anonymity, ease of use, and cross-country support, it empowers individuals to stay informed and proactive about potential exposures while respecting personal privacy.