Federally-backed COVID alert app now available in Ontario

OTTAWA — The COVID Alert app is now available in Ontario and aims to help stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The voluntary app tells users if or when they have been in close contact with another user who has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

The Canadian Digital Service designed and built the app using open source code from Shopify volunteers and the Apple/Google framework.

If a user tests positive, they can choose to enter a one-time code to send alerts to other users.

The app is not mandatory for Canadians, and can be downloaded voluntarily from Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store.

Officials have stressed that no personal data will be collected.

BlackBerry did a security review before the app was launched.

Ontario is being used as a trial bed before a nationwide roll-out.