Alberta has run into a roadblock with its COVID-19 contact tracing app after the federal government intervened with Alberta’s relationship with tech giants Apple and Google, Premier Jason Kenney said Monday.
The ABTraceTogether app was launched May 1, by the province and Alberta Health Services, and uses Bluetooth to more accurately and efficiently identify contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case.
In a news conference Monday, Kenney fielded questions surrounding the functionality of the app which has run into problems, including Apple iOS users needing to have their phone open and the app running in the foreground to record data.
In late May, the province announced an update that would enable the app to operate in the background when an iPhone is locked, however, Kenney noted the federal government is blocking app developments for Alberta users.
“We have been trying to resolve that problem, which requires cooperation with Google and Apple,” Kenney said.
“Unfortunately, the government of Canada has told Google and Apple not to work with the government of Alberta, or other provincial governments, on improving the Trace Together app.
“They’ve done so because they say they want cooperation on a single national platform, but there isn’t one,” Kenney added.
Kenney said the provincial government has made “repeated requests to the federal government to remove their barrier” to ensure the app functions effectively amid the pandemic.
“I will renew that call now publicly,” he said. “Every week, we press the federal government.
“At the end of the day, by standing in the way between us and the large tech companies, they are effectively reducing the functionality of an app which can help us in the midst of a public health crisis.”
Alberta’s app was the first of its kind to launch in North America and Health Minister Tyler Shandro added the province has been working with the federal government to create similar contact tracing apps across the country.
“There is no national contact tracing app at this time,” Shandro said. “Our assistant deputy minister is taking the lead on assisting the federal government on the development of it.
“In terms of first steps, they did turn to us to help them with that development.”
He added that in light of offering their help, Alberta has been reaching out to the federal government and international affairs to stop the blocking of the province’s contact tracing advancements.
“Let’s allow Apple and Google to work with us to make sure that the ABTraceTogether app is fully functional,” he said. “We’re happy to do that once Google and Apple are allowed to do that.”
The province does not yet know when the update will be available to iOS users.
In a statement to Global News on Monday, press secretary to the federal health minister said the federal government is working with both Apple and Google to develop a national contact tracing app that can be used by all Canadians.
“We continue to work with Apple, Google and our partners in jurisdictions across Canada on a voluntary national app that will be ready for download very soon,” Cole Davidson said.
Davidson said having one app that is accessible to the entire country will “reduce confusion” for users.
“Apple and Google have made their API available to us to create a national notification app. Having one app for the country reduces confusion and is as efficient as possible in notifying Canadians if they may have come into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.”
Davidson said a launch date for the national app has not yet been confirmed
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