NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Attorneys General from around the country want Apple and Google to address some privacy concerns in the fight against COVID-19.
Some contact tracing apps for smart phones may not have all of the needed privacy protections.
The Attorney General of Tennessee, Herbert Slatery, and a bipartisan coalition of 38 attorneys general sent a letter to the companies, citing concerns about protecting the personal and health information of millions of Americans.
These apps are using GPS tracking, contain advertisements or in-app purchases, and are not collecting data for research institutions. So, the group has asked Apple and Google to verify that every app labeled or marketed as contact tracing is associated with a public health authority. That also includes hospitals and universities.
If the app is not verified or affiliated with a public health department, the letter asks Apple and Google to remove it.
Once the pandemic ends, the letter asks for all contact tracing apps to be removed from the app store and Google Play.
