Local tech companies to launch contact-tracing app to aid in COVID-19 fight
Image: courtesy of the C.L.E.A.R. team
MANILA, Philippines—Local software companies Spring Valley Tech Corp. and CMI Tech have teamed up to create an app that will aid in contact tracing as the COVID-19 pandemic grips the world.
The app, called the Citizen’s Logistics & Early Assessment Report Tool (C.L.E.A.R.), will enable users to track their state of health and enable contact tracing, when necessary, according to a release from C.L.E.A.R.
“C.L.E.A.R. is a one of a kind software platform that integrates GPS & Bluetooth Technology and a formidable and secure database with crowdsourcing functionalities,” the release read.
The community-driven contact tracing app will notify users of possible health concerns and if recent and relevant connections have been compromised with the novel coronavirus. C.L.E.A.R. will also automatically connect to other mobile devices with the app and exchange anonymized IDs stored in encrypted form.
It is important, however, that users contribute pertinent data, such as their state of health and their touchpoints with other individuals, to get the full benefits of the app.
The app will be made available for free via Google Play, the App Store and through the covideclear.info website this April. If accessed through mobile, users should turn their Bluetooth on for the app to work.
In cases of infection, administrators and authorized government agencies will be allowed to access users’ information for a significantly swift contact tracing.
“This tool was developed to aid in the fight against COVID-19 by providing users and government authorities a common platform to exchange information that would be vital in contact tracing,” the release read.
The app requires no payment as the team’s goal is to only aid the nation in the battle against the pandemic, according to Spring Valley CEO and Philippine Software Industry Association President Jonathan De Luzuriaga.
The app is backed by telecommunication providers Globe, SMART and PLDT, as well as information and communications technology enablers HUAWEI Philippines and AWS. It also has secured the support of several Information Technology and Business Process Management associations and organizations.
HUAWEI CLOUD’s Philippine office would be providing C.L.E.A.R.’s cloud infrastructure to ensure that the vast amount of information gathered, analyzed and processed by the app will be readily available to authorities.
The team behind C.L.E.A.R. has also informed relevant government agencies of the initiative and is currently waiting for the official acceptance of the application.
They have also provided the Department of Science and Technology’s Research Information and Technology Transfer Division and the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development all the necessary documents as they seek formal endorsement to the Inter-Agency Task Force.
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