coronavirus contact-tracing app hasn’t yet been approved by the federal privacy watchdog but outside privacy and cybersecurity experts are already giving the digital tool an early thumbs up.The app, announced Thursday by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, will be beta tested in Ontario starting on July 2 and is expected to launch nationally soon after.
It’s meant to be an additional tool to help track down close contacts of people who have tested positive for the virus and its use will be “completely voluntary,” the prime minister said.
Trudeau said several times during his daily news conference that the government had worked with the federal privacy commissioner on the app, when asked by reporters about the watchdog’s involvement.