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Apple releases COVID-19 app update, offers fixes, changes based on CDC guidance

Apple on Thursday released a substantial updated to its COVID-19 app and website, including both bug fixes and significant new information.

Updates include new recommendations for healthcare workers to align with CDC guidelines, best practices for quarantining if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, and new information for pregnancy and newborns.

As of April, Apple responded to a letter from several Democratic senators who had inquired as to the data protection and privacy policies of the COVID-19 app and screening tools.

Apple stated that it doesn’t collect any information other than non-personally identifiable app usage and crash data. That data is then kept only as long as necessary to “support the operation of the COVID-19 website and app.” It also pledged not to share or resell any data collected with third parties or for commercial purposes.

Apple’s COVID-19 app requires iOS 13.1 or later to install and run and is available for free.

Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

Via AppleInsider and the App Store