COVID Alert Software
Company Name: Health Canada / Santé Canada
About: Fontaine Santé Foods Inc. is setting the standard in the ready-to-eat market.
Headquarters: Saint Laurent, Quebec, Canada.
COVID Alert Overview
Several times a day, COVID Alert checks a list of codes from people who tell the app they tested positive.
COVID Alert uses Bluetooth to exchange random codes with nearby phones.
Other phones using COVID Alert check the central server periodically throughout the day.
COVID Alert was built by Health Canada with the Canadian Digital Service on the private exposure notification framework by Apple and Google.
If you test positive for COVID-19 you will receive a one-time key with your diagnosis to enter into COVID Alert.
COVID Alert works by determining how far away other phones are by the strength of their Bluetooth signal.
Provincial and territorial governments are working to support COVID Alert across Canada.
Official Screenshots
Product Details and Description of
COVID Alert uses Bluetooth to exchange random codes with nearby phones. It does not use or access any location data. COVID Alert works by determining how far away other phones are by the strength of their Bluetooth signal. Several times a day, COVID Alert checks a list of codes from people who tell the app they tested positive. You’ll get a notification if a code you received matches one of the positive codes. If you test positive for COVID-19 you will receive a one-time key with your diagnosis to enter into COVID Alert. The app asks permission to share your random codes from the last 14 days with a central server. Other phones using COVID Alert check the central server periodically throughout the day. If they recorded any codes that match the codes in the central server, their user will be notified that they were exposed. COVID Alert has no way of knowing: -your location - COVID Alert does not use GPS or location services -your name or address -the place or time you were near someone -if you're currently near someone who was previously diagnosed Provincial and territorial governments are working to support COVID Alert across Canada. In some places, people cannot yet report a COVID-19 diagnosis through this app. It’s still helpful to keep COVID Alert on, no matter where you are. That way, when people are able to report a diagnosis, you’ll find out if you were near them. COVID Alert was built by Health Canada with the Canadian Digital Service on the private exposure notification framework by Apple and Google.
Top Reviews
By Iloveapps84
Idiot reviewers
Funny that there are some people who are stupid enough to leave a negative review on this because they don’t have the latest version of iOS, which is NEEDED to include the tracking stuff. As if that’s the app’s fault. But yeah, devs, you probably should have better limited what the minimum version was for this. Oh well. People are pretty stupid with their unfair reviews. It’s funny to watch. Just wait til people start complaining about location tracking, which isn’t even done in this hahah
By moe393
A huge success!
The only downfall to the COVID Alert app is that you need a minimum iOS update 13.5, and there are many reasons for this. The government of Canada had to work with Apple and Google to release a new software update that allowed you to connect run Bluetooth handshakes in the background so you do not have to have the app running. This is why the app is only available for iOS 3 13.5 and above. The app is clear and protects your health in a privately matter. I definitely do recommend this app!
By chickenandporn
Lightweight and the safest way to accelerate contact-tracing
So far, seems lightweight and fairly uncluttered, even though we don’t need to look at it until it detects a positive report you’ve been near. It’s important to use a tool like this that optimizes contact-tracing: Health Canada doesn’t have limitless staff and funds, so we need to make them as efficient as possible with all the tools possible that don’t risk our privacy. Seems to accurately follow the Apple/Google privacy sharing so that your GPS is not leaked and no one but YOU can choose your share your health info. Privacy is important. Also because it doesn’t use GPS, it doesn’t drain your battery. No difference so far on my battery comparing to previous days.
