Verily, an app that can initially determine your Coronavirus status is now live and ready to be used exclusively by residents in the Bay Area. If you want to log-in and use the app, you only need to input all your personal information and even your health conditions. Is it safe to use, though?
Is it safe to use the FREE Coronavirus testing app online? Reports say otherwise!
On Sunday night, Verily-- one of Google's Alphabet's subsidiary has launched its pilot COVID-19 screening app that can detect Coronavirus once a user answers a medical survey.
This app is totally free but can only be initially accessed on San Francisco Bay Area regions. The app is also easy to use. If you want to qualify for screening, users only have to log-in using their Google account and agree to the terms and conditions, including sharing your information with Google.
After logging in, the website will take you to an online basic health-related survey wherein users have to answer honestly. Users will get the results based on the basic health questions, and the app will ask you to come to their nearest center for a free check-up if the results of your survey seemed to be a potential victim of the virus.
According to CNBC, there are requirements needed to be complied by the users in order to be eligible in using the app. First, users must be at least 18 years of age, a U.S. resident, able to speak and read English, located in one of the available counties, and willing to sign the COVID-19 Public Health "authorization form."
The authorization form is said to be a little controversial since the app will inform users that it will be collecting personal information like name, address, email, phone number, and health information, which can all be used by various government and health authorities and for "public health purposes."
Verily app: Not quite trustworthy, say users
Though the app is still fresh as of now, users from California already said that there seemed to be inconsistency with the website-- highlighting that not all of them received similar health questions.
The Verily/Google screening website is up for two locations in the Bay Area but it’s one question and I’m not sure how much screening it’s doing https://t.co/rEgF26gbsN pic.twitter.com/njedkP3voG — Daisuke Wakabayashi (@daiwaka) March 16, 2020
One Twitter user even described the app as a "barrier to entry in being tested with COVID-19 and has a major privacy problem."
Verily has not yet answered controversies but assures that the app is safe to use
Verily did not yet comment on the allegations against the app but detailed on their website that the screening app will not share any information on third parties or even sell them for advertisements.
"We will not share any information with your insurance or medical providers without your consent. You and your clinician will continue to make decisions about your care," said Verily. "We are committed to maintaining high privacy standards and keeping your data safe. Project Baseline follows federal and state regulations governing the collection and use of an individual's data. Data in Verily'sVerily's possession is stored in advanced systems with security and privacy protocols."
