Governance Briefing — Apple and Google announce Exposure Notification API collaboration
On 10 April 2020 Apple and Google jointly announced an Exposure Notification API to support privacy-preserving COVID-19 contact tracing, committing to interoperable Bluetooth protocols and strict data minimization.
Apple and Google announced on 10 April 2020 that they would co-develop an Exposure Notification API enabling public health authorities to build Bluetooth-based contact tracing apps with rotating keys and opt-in consent. The companies pledged to publish technical documentation, prohibit location tracking, and phase the capability into iOS and Android updates.
Governance and privacy teams should assess how the API's decentralized model aligns with local public health rules, ensure transparency around data retention, and evaluate mobile fleet readiness for OS updates.