Colorado has launched a new COVID-19 exposure notification system that uses Bluetooth technology to help with contact tracing, requiring users to opt in for participation.
The system, introduced on Sunday, aims to alert individuals who may have been in contact with someone who later tests positive for COVID-19. It operates by exchanging non-identifiable tokens between mobile phones without using GPS, ensuring privacy and security for users.
“This is a game changer for us in Colorado,” said a health official, highlighting the potential impact of the new system. Donald McLaughlin from CP Cyber tested the system, stating, “I did some field testing and some field work on it. So I installed it on two different phones so they could talk to each other. Then I essentially listened for the wireless traffic, and it was not broadcasting anything personal. It was all random.”
The system allows users who test positive for COVID-19 to upload their results, which then sends alerts to others who may be at risk, along with information on nearby testing sites. An independent IT expert verified the system’s security by reviewing its public code, confirming that personal data is not stored or transmitted unless a user chooses to upload their positive test result. Health officials aim for 15% of Colorado’s population to opt in, which could lead to an 8% reduction in infections and a 6% reduction in deaths, according to an Oxford model. The technology is available to iPhone users through a settings icon and to Android users via the Play Store.
With privacy and security measures in place, Colorado’s new exposure notification system represents a significant step forward in managing COVID-19 contact tracing. The initiative’s success will depend on public participation and trust in the technology’s privacy protections.