The world's most powerful centralized machine is moving: Apple and Google join forces to provide COVID-19 contact tracing services

Apple and Google have announced a rare collaboration to provide users with the ability to track and receive alerts about potential COVID-19 exposure on their iOS and Android phones. The key technological foundation for this includes cryptography and Bluetooth technology. The potential user base of these two companies amounts to one-third of the Earth's population. Although the initiative claims to involve anonymous data exchange, there are concerns from some quarters about privacy surveillance.

Encryption Technology Enhances Privacy

Cryptography is applied in various technological areas, including some blockchain protocols. According to the announcement, Apple and Google support privacy and security through cryptographic key scheduling in protocols based on Bluetooth technology.

More technical details can be found here.