Apple scooped up AppleCoronavirus.com as it begins work with Google on COVID-19 tracing tech

On Friday, Apple and Google announced a joint initiative to join forces and assist in contact tracing technology. Countries like South Korea were able to institute detailed contact tracing very quickly that likely helped them dramatically reduce the spread of COVID-19 early-on. Now Apple and Google are going to make it easier for contact tracing to become a viable solution in the US and around the world:

Since COVID-19 can be transmitted through close proximity to affected  individuals, public health officials have identified contact tracing as a  valuable tool to help contain its spread. A number of leading public  health authorities, universities, and NGOs around the world have been  doing important work to develop opt-in contact tracing technology. To  further this cause, Apple and Google will be launching a comprehensive  solution that includes application programming interfaces (APIs) and  operating system-level technology to assist in enabling contact tracing.  Given the urgent need, the plan is to implement this solution in two  steps while maintaining strong protections around user privacy. (Source – Apple Newsroom)

First things first, I think it’s awesome that Apple and Google are doing this. While I know some people don’t like the idea of being tracked, I’m a-okay with it if it means I can help prevent the spread of a deadly virus.

Well, not surprisingly, the same day that Apple and Google announced this initiative, Apple scooped up AppleCoronavirus.com. The domain name was registered at CSC Corporate Domains, a company that takes care of domain names for large corporations like Apple.

It’s a bit too early to know if this was registered simply to protect the domain from falling into the wrong hands or instead to play some role in the new joint initiative. Either way, I’m glad to see this domain in Apple’s hands and looking forward to see what Apple and Google are able to put together here to further the opportunities for contact tracing in the US and around the world.

Morgan Linton

Morgan Linton