Covid-19 app update blocked for breaking both Apple and Google rules

The NHS Covid app which is used as a way to track and trace the spread of Covid in the local area had an update blocked by Apple and Google over disputes around sharing user locations back in April.

The original update plan was for users of the app to upload venue ‘sign ins’ which were set up as barcode scans on posters which could then be used to warn people if one did end up contracting the virus. This update had been planned to release to coincide with the easing of lockdown on the 12th of April but unfortunately, both Apple and Google banned the update from going live.

Under the terms and conditions that all health authorities had to sign in order to release their apps on the respected companies platform, they had to agree to not use any type of location data via the software. You may be familiar with how the Covid app works but with this update, it would’ve allowed other users to access location information and due to this fact, Apple and Google opted out of the update and decided to keep the previous version for their users.

At a time when global tech giants are being scrutinised by the public far more than they used to, it’s wise for Apple and Google to not be so lenient with these rules on the basis that ‘people can opt out of sharing locations with others’ when it could lead to a majority of the general public feeling uncomfortable with their information…

Hopefully these two companies will come to a compromise soon but as of now it seems we’ll have the previous version of the Covid app until an agreement can be made.