--- title: Apps To Help Deter The Spread of COVID-19 description: Using digital handshakes to help contract tracing efforts for COVID-19 image: https://blog.neptunenavigate.com/hubfs/CMCNeptune_June2020/Image/Christina_Jontra.jpg --- [![Neptune Navigate logo](https://blog.neptunenavigate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Neptune/png/Neptune%20Navigate%20logo.png?width=965&height=177&name=Neptune%20Navigate%20logo.png "Neptune Navigate logo")](https://www.neptunenavigate.com/) - [Home](https://www.neptunenavigate.com/) - Products - [Navigate for Schools](http://www.neptunenavigate.com/for-schools) - [Navigate for Student Athletes](http://www.neptunenavigate.com/for-student-athletes) - [Navigate for Churches](http://www.neptunenavigate.com/for-churches) - [Navigate for Business](http://www.neptunenavigate.com/for-business) - [Navigate for Greek Life ](http://www.neptunenavigate.com/for-greek) - [About Us](http://www.neptunenavigate.com/about-us) - [Parent Tips](http://www.neptunenavigate.com/for-parents) - [Learn More](http://www.neptunenavigate.com/contact-us) ## Neptune Navigate Blog #### Tips for online safety and security and responsible digital citizenship for parents, kids, and families. # Apps To Help Deter The Spread of COVID-19 [ Christina Jontra ](https://blog.neptunenavigate.com/en/author/christina-jontra) Dec 2, 2020 8:56:22 AM [https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/us-states-roll-out-apps-alerting-people-covid-19-exposure](https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/us-states-roll-out-apps-alerting-people-covid-19-exposure) We have apps on our phones  that give us directions, allow us to play games, allow us to make purchases, and even allow us to turn off our lights remotely  if we leave them on at home.  And now it looks as though we have an app that can help deter the spread of  COVID-19.   As of now, at least 10 states have rolled out their own version of this app with the goal of alerting people to exposure while, at the same time, protecting their privacy.  While each state-run app varies a bit in nature, they all primarily share the same approach based on technology from Apple and Google.  In order to use their technology, both companies mandated that states could not use mobile phone location data, thereby creating a level of trust from the consumer. Privacy issues are of great concern to most of us who operate any type of digital device.  So how does it work?  Once the app is downloaded, it works in conjunction with the individual’s mobile phone technology.   The app then begins collecting anonymized information about other phones it comes near.  That information of the “digital handshake” is stored in the person’s phone.  Health officials give anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 a code to put into their app.  Anyone who has been near that person in the previous two weeks receives an alert on their device.  Realistically, in order for this to work, there needs to be a large mass of people who are willing to download and use the app.  It is too early to know if this  use of technology is helping put a stop to the spread of the Coronavirus,  but at least it is an effort in the right direction. [Apps](https://blog.neptunenavigate.com/en/tag/apps) #### CONTACT US ###### Physical Address 4000 Southpark Drive Tyler, TX 75703 ###### Mailing Address PO BOX 132691 Tyler, TX 75713 Phone: 903-630-7487 Email: [info@neptunenavigate.com](mailto:info@neptunenow.com) Partner Support: 903-287-0770 #### PRODUCTS - [Schools](http://www.neptunenavigate.com/for-schools) - [Churches](http://www.neptunenavigate.com/for-churches) - [Parents](http://www.neptunenavigate.com/for-parents) - [Student-Athletes](http://www.neptunenavigate.com/for-student-athletes) - [Business ](http://www.neptunenavigate.com/for-business) - [Greek Life ](http://www.neptunenavigate.com/for-greek) #### ABOUT US - [Our Team](http://www.neptunenavigate.com/about-us) - [Our Beliefs](http://www.neptunenavigate.com/about-us) - [Our Story](http://www.neptunenavigate.com/about-us) [Follow us on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/NeptuneNavigate) [Follow us on Twitter ](https://www.twitter.com/NeptuneNavigate)