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Google Launching Contact Tracing Smart Watch Tech


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    It really seems almost impossible thinking about contact tracing being applied as it is today. The idea that you can trace something back to it's source basically by word of mouth is pretty crazy. It's no secret that contact tracing has been both a major tool and major road block lately in taking control of the issues we're facing today. This seems to be where Google is attempting to take the reigns and provide a helping hand.

    Just recently Google announced it will soon be releasing contact tracing technology into it's smart watches and other wearable tech. Seems like this will be pretty straight forward. You pair your watch or other wearable to your phone and you will be prompted with -

    "Your phone will use this device to securely collect and share random IDs with other devices that are nearby. You can be notified if you've been near someone who reported having COVID-19. The date, duration, and signal strength associated with an exposure will be shared with the app."

    It looks as though this will be voluntarily applied (from the little bit of info I've seen). Honestly, if it wasn't voluntary it would get some squinty eyes from me. I wouldn't like that kind of connectivity if it wasn't voluntary. Although if there was ever something that deserves a bit of intrusion, this would be welcomed considering it could potentially save lives.

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    I agree. I'm cool with voluntary contact tracing. Mandatory would make me uncomfortable. Though they don't need everyone to sign on to be able to track your whereabouts, just enough people around you and in your circle. Then again, Google already knows where you are anyways. Pretty hard to be off-grid these days.
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    Cosmic Kid Wrote: I agree. I'm cool with voluntary contact tracing. Mandatory would make me uncomfortable. Though they don't need everyone to sign on to be able to track your whereabouts, just enough people around you and in your circle. Then again, Google already knows where you are anyways. Pretty hard to be off-grid these days.
    It creeps me out a bit, but I think it will be helpful. Even if you don't have a phone on you, you can still be tracked by CCTV cameras. So getting off the grid is very very hard to do.
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    Did we hear any more on this?
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    I can see this becoming mandatory for anyone with one of their devices.