Belgium launches COVID-19 exposure notification app using Apple-Google framework

Belgium has launched its coronavirus exposure notification app, "Coronalert," on Wednesday, after several months of development with Apple and Google's frameworks.

Belgium's new "Coronalert" COVID-19 contact detection and tracing app is available to download starting on Wednesday. Like many others in circulation, the app utilizes the Apple-Google framework for exposure notifications and is available for both Apple and Android phones. The app was developed by Belgian companies DevSide and Ixor, and audited for security by NVISO.

The app itself is based on the Corona-Warn-App that Germany uses, as well as the European open standard DP3T (Decentralized Privacy-Preserving Proximity Tracing.)

Like many countries, Belgium uses the app to help alert users to high-risk exposures to those who have tested positive for COVID-19.

High-risk exposure is deemed as being within six feet or less of an infected person for a minimum of 15 minutes.

If a user of the app is infected with COVID-19, they can choose to alert anyone who has met the minimum threshold for high-risk exposure. This alert is anonymous and helps to supplement traditional contact tracing efforts.

The Belgium government strongly encourages all citizens to download the app if possible, as contract tracing apps only work if a sizable percentage of the population utilizes them.