How will exposure notification data be stored and processed?

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Exposure Notification Data Will Be Stored and Processed On Device

Exposure notification data will be stored and processed directly on users' smartphones, rather than on government servers. This on-device storage ensures that public health authorities can only access "beacons" from users confirmed positive for the virus if those users have explicitly opted in to share their data. The system is designed with user control and privacy as central tenets.
User Control Over Data Sharing

Users will need to actively choose to enable the exposure notification technology, and they retain the ability to disable it at any point. The system is engineered not to collect location data from devices, nor does it share the identities of other users with one another, Google, or Apple. All data sharing decisions rest solely with the user.
Limited Access for Public Health Authorities

While public health authorities will have access to the underlying technology, any applications developed must adhere to strict privacy, security, and data control criteria set by Apple and Google. This framework means that authorities cannot unilaterally access user data; access to positive case "beacons" is contingent on user consent.
Data Storage on Device, Not Centralised Servers

A key privacy feature of the system is that exposure notification data is processed and stored locally on the user's device. This approach significantly limits the potential for mass surveillance, as data is not aggregated on central government servers. This design choice aims to address concerns raised by privacy advocates regarding the potential misuse of such data.
System Deactivation Post-Pandemic

To further mitigate privacy concerns, Apple and Google have indicated that the exposure notification system is intended to be temporary. The companies stated that they can disable the system on a regional basis once it is no longer necessary, effectively signalling an end date for its operation after the pandemic subsides.

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How will exposure notification data be stored and processed?

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