Skip to main content

Apple and Google are facing pressure from New York's Attorney General to impose stricter privacy rules on contact tracing apps that are currently flooding their app stores (GOOG, APPL)

* New York Attorney General Letitia James has called on Apple and Google to impose stricter rules on contact tracing apps. * While both companies have set out guidelines for apps built on their "exposure notification" API, the same rules aren't enforced for third-party apps in their stores. * AG James has written to both companies requesting that only verified public health authorities can publish apps that transmit sensitive health information, along with other rules. * A recent Business Insider investigation discovered that only a few US states are interested in Apple and Google's own contact tracing technology. * Do you work at Google or Apple? You can contact this reporter securely using encrypted messaging app Signal (+1 628-228-1836) or encrypted email (hslangley@protonmail.com). * Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. New York Attorney General Letitia James is asking Apple and Google to impose restrictions on contact tracing apps that are made available through their app stores. In letters sent to both companies, AG James asked for the tech giants to impose strict measures that would prevent sensitive health data being collected by untrusted sources, and would require these apps to be transparent in how they operate. As US states begin to open back up, contact tracing apps are hitting smartphone app stores, but there is a concern that many of these apps have not been properly vetted. James' letter also addresses an important difference between apps that use Apple and Google's own "exposure notification" API, which the company recently began rolling out, and third-party apps based on other technologies. For Apple and Google's own exposure notification technology there are strict guidelines in place, including a rule that only public health authorities are allowed to build apps using it. But when it comes to third-party apps, these same standards don't currently apply. A recent Wall Street Journal story shone a light on some of the poor privacy practices being used in these third-party apps. In response to that article, Apple said that contact-tracing apps are prohibited from displaying ads and offering in-app purchases. Google also pulled an app for not complying with its advertising policies. AG James is now calling on both companies to impose stricter rules pertaining to how these third-party contact tracing apps handle sensitive data, and how transparent they're being with users. "We understand that contact-tracing apps (those that do not use the exposure notification API) offered on the Google Play Store are not subject to the same requirements, and so may have different or lesser privacy protections," wrote James in the letter to Google, making the same case to Apple. The letters ask Apple and Google to only allow verified public health authorities to put apps on their app stores when these apps transmit personal health information. It also asks that these apps are upfront about the types of information they collect, how it might be used, and whether the app uses Apple and Google's own Exposure Notification API or something else. Both companies have until June 19 to acknowledge the letter. Spokespeople for Apple and Google did not immediately responded to Business Insider's request for comment. And while Apple and Google's API is now rolling out, a recent Business Insider investigation discovered that only three states are openly committing to using it, and many are uninterested in the technology. Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: Here's what it's like to travel during the coronavirus outbreak
https://bit.ly/3fneapS

Popular posts from this blog

Apple has backed down in its latest developer fight, apologizing to WordPress after it pressured the website-builder to add in-app payments

* Apple has apologized after it tried to force WordPress to add in-app payment options to a free app. * WordPress' founder said on Friday that Apple was refusing to allow any updates to the WordPress iOS app until the website builder added in-app purchases, from which Apple takes a 15-30% commission. * Apple is in a fierce fight with developers including "Fortnite" maker Epic Games and Spotify over its rules on in-app purchases. * Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Apple has backed down in its latest skirmish with a developer over its App Store rules. The tech giant on Sunday issued a rare apology to WordPress after it pressured the website builder to add payment options to its free iOS app, or else be blocked from updating. "We believe the issue with the WordPress app has been resolved," an Apple spokesman told The Verge. "Since the developer removed the display of their service payment options from the app, it is now a free st...

SpaceX has a 'go' from NASA to return 2 astronauts to Earth on Sunday as Hurricane Isaias threatens several Florida splashdown locations

* NASA on Saturday gave SpaceX a "go" to undock the company's first crewed space mission, called Demo-2, and land it on Sunday evening. * Hurricane Isaias complicated original plans to return two astronauts to Earth aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon spaceship in the Atlantic Ocean. * Elon Musk's aerospace company may now try to splash down NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley in the Gulf of Mexico. * Two out of seven total landing sites near Florida must have good weather conditions, and NASA has until about 5 p.m. ET on Saturday to call off the undocking. * Should the weather worsen, NASA and SpaceX can try again a day later or some other date over the next two months. * Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley have a "go" to return to Earth this weekend and wrap up an historic space mission for both NASA and SpaceX.  Behnken and Hurley launched to orbit aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon vehic...

What an independent contractor actually is and how it's classified under California's Assembly Bill 5, the gig worker law Uber, Lyft, and others are fighting with a November ballot measure

* California's Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) went into effect in January, adopting a narrow definition of independent contractor that forces Uber and other gig economy businesses to choose between reclassifying workers as employees or risking significant liability for misclassification. * The law serves as a reminder to California businesses to be careful when classifying workers as contractors.  * Classifying independent contractors falls into two main categories: the "right to control" test (often called the "IRS test") and the tougher "ABC test" recently adopted in AB5. * Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash have recently poured $30 million into Proposition 22 — a ballot measure intended to exempt major ridesharing and food delivery companies from AB5. If California residents vote the measure into effect in November, Uber and Lyft can continue classifying drivers as contractors.  * Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. In September 2019, Californ...