Italy launches contact-tracing app based on Apple and Google's technology

Italy has officially launched a COVID-19 contact tracing app based on the exposure notification technology developed by Apple and Google. Reported by Reuters, the country is testing out the app in four different regions before rolling it out to the rest of the country.

Pier Luigi Lopalco, who runs the COVID-19 emergency unit in the Puglia region, says that the app will help health agencies figure out who came into contact with someone who was infected with the virus.

"In this way we will be able to identify someone who was sitting on the bus next to an infected person,"

The app, called "Immuni", uses Apple and Googles exposure notification technology which uses Bluetooth instead of GPS to determine if someone came into contact with an infected individual.

"The app dubbed "Immuni" (immune) is aimed at reducing the risk of such flare-ups by recording when users are in close proximity with each other. Their mobile phones will exchange codes through Bluetooth technology. If a person tests positive for the virus, the app tells recent contacts to self-isolate and get tested, helping health authorities to react quickly and limit contagion."

Despite the government's efforts to ensure its citizens that its app will not track the user's location and that data will be systematically deleted, a recent poll shows that at least 24% of people will not plan on downloading the app.

"However only 44% of Italians said they would probably or certainly download Immuni, according to survey by pollster EMG Acqua on May 26, while 24% would definitely not download it. On-the-ground testing of the app, which has been developed by tech start-up Bending Spoons, will start on June 8 in the Liguria, Abruzzo, Marche and Puglia regions."

Countries and state's are currently split between implementing Apple and Google's solution as opposed to creating their own.