Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
Plus Size Colorblock Tank Top Buy Now
Essentials Men's Regular-Fit Shirt Buy Now
Glasting Melting Lip Balm Buy Now
SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 10.4 Buy Now
Men's Slim Fit Knit Cardigan Buy Now
Mens Golf Pants Buy Now
Crystal Accented Bracelet Watch Buy Now
Polarized Retro Sunglasses Buy Now
Burberry Women's Sunglasses Buy Now
Quay Sunglasses for Women Buy Now
COOFANDY Men's Wrinkle-Free Dress Shirt Buy Now
Men’s Premium Skin Care Kit Buy Now
Kenneth Cole Reaction Chelsea Tote Buy Now
5pc Turtleneck Long Sleeve Tees Buy Now
Women's Active Mini Dress Buy Now
Hisense 75 QD7 Series QLED 4K Smart TV (2024) Buy Now
COOFANDY Men's Plaid Denim Shirt Buy Now
Ultra Cotton Long Sleeve T-Shirt Buy Now
Pioneer Men's Slim Fit Cardigan Sweater Buy Now
Womens High Waist Yoga Pants Cutout Ripped Leggings Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
Where did things go wrong with Canada's COVID Alert app?

Where did things go wrong with Canada's COVID Alert app?

CBC
Wednesday, February 9, 2022 2:57 PM GMT

In the summer of 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau touted the new COVID Alert notification app as a tech-forward tool to help trace and slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Nearly two years later, uptake has plateaued, and questions remain about whether the roughly $21 million spent to develop and promote the app was worth it.

"I don't think the COVID Alert app made much of a difference in our fight against COVID," Peter Loewen, director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto, told CBC's Cost of Living.

"That doesn't mean that it was a waste of money, necessarily. We didn't even spend enough money to really try."

The COVID Alert app launched in July 2020 for Apple and Android devices. The app uses Bluetooth signals to exchange random codes with nearby phones that also have the app installed.

Users are alerted if they've spent at least 15 minutes near another user who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Health Canada told Cost of Living that the app has sent more than 371,875 alert notifications as of Jan. 31.

But it doesn't track users' names, addresses or location data, nor does it collect any data on whether a user actually follows up at a testing centre.

Without that key information, "it's simply impossible to say that the app did anything of significance," said Jason Millar, Canada Research Chair in the Ethical Engineering of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Ottawa.

"You should be extremely skeptical of anyone who claims they can measure the app's success in preventing cases or saving lives.... There is no data that I've seen to support the claim that it did anything of the sort."

According to Health Canada, the app "was designed to provide [a] high level of privacy protection" and shouldn't be considered a replacement or supplement for more detailed contact tracing.

Health Canada told Cost of Living that the app has been downloaded about 6.86 million times. If each download translates into one unique user, that's about 18 per cent of the country's 38 million people.

Each province and territory was required to opt into the program in order for people to use the app. It wasn't adopted by Alberta, British Columbia, Nunavut or Yukon.

Loewen says the app would need to be downloaded by at least 60 per cent — and preferably even 70 or 80 per cent — of Canadians to be truly useful. But he says it's incredibly rare for a single app to get that kind of widespread usage.

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Young Inuit take to the skies in pilot training program with dreams of serving Nunavik

An enthusiastic applause greets Melissa Haney as she walks into a classroom at Iguarsivik high school in Puvirnituq, Nunavik. She was just introduced as the first Inuk woman to captain a Boeing 737. 

Could your beach reads actually be therapeutic? Bibliotherapy suggests they might

This story is part of CBC Health's Second Opinion, a weekly analysis of health and medical science news emailed to subscribers on Saturday mornings. If you haven't subscribed yet, you can do that by clicking here.

Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games postponed to 2026 due to wildfires

The Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games (MISG) that were scheduled to begin next week in Norway House Cree Nation, have been postponed to next year.

What is the essence of cool? A global study narrows it down to 6 key traits

Cool is cool, no matter where you are in the world.

How some students with disabilities avoid the 'transition cliff' after high school

For the past 10 months, Toronto student Danial Young rose at 6 a.m. on weekdays to attend a program vastly different from what he'd known, leaving friends and familiar teachers behind as he ventured into new spaces and was challenged to develop new skills. 

Ancient Saskatchewan archaeological site falls victim to illegal scavenging

A crucial archaeological site in Saskatchewan has become a target for illegal scavenging.

Decision to refill Lake Pisiquid coming with side-effects, say some Windsor residents

Some Windsor, N.S., residents say a two-year-old decision to close the gates of an aboiteau and keep Lake Pisiquid filled with water is unnecessary and causing other problems.

First Nations opposition to Bill C-5 draws comparisons to Idle No More movement

As more First Nations voice opposition to Bill C-5, some are drawing comparisons to the 2012 Idle No More movement. 

Islanders are being asked to help track the rare smooth greensnake this summer

If you spot a smooth greensnake in the wild on Prince Edward Island this summer, the province's Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division wants to hear from you.

News got you down? Counsellors explain why doom scrolling is so easy — and how to limit it

Western Canada glaciers melting twice as fast as in previous decade, research says; Nigerian judge convicts man of sextorting B.C. teen who died by suicide; Overdose deaths tick up to 165 in April: B.C. Coroners Service; Her husband died after a lung transplant. Now she has to sell her home to pay the bills; Gaza health authorities say Israel kills 44 waiting for aid as war's death toll passes 56,000. 

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us