STAYAWAY COVID is a mobile application developed to support public health authorities in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. By leveraging Bluetooth technology, the app efficiently notifies users of potential virus exposure, enabling proactive health measures while preserving user anonymity.
The COVID-19 pandemic required rapid identification and notification of exposure to curb transmission. Traditional methods were insufficient, demanding an innovative, secure digital solution that ensured user privacy.
INESC TEC, in collaboration with Invisible Lab, developed STAYAWAY COVID, which resorted to the Google and Apple Exposure Notification API. The app maintained anonymity by assigning random IDs to devices and notifying users of potential exposure without storing personal data.
The app achieved significant success with 3.5 million downloads, playing an important role in Portugal’s COVID-19 response by empowering citizens to take timely protective actions, thereby reducing transmission rates and alleviating healthcare pressures.
Invisible Lab’s expertise in cybersecurity played a key role in launching the app quickly and safely. Their focus on robust security and privacy measures helped build user trust and protect sensitive health data from potential breaches.
Anonymous Contact Tracing: Uses encrypted IDs for secure proximity detection.
Timely Exposure Alerts: Notifies users about potential contact with confirmed cases.
Privacy-Focused Design: Ensures no personal data storage.
Intuitive Interface: Offers clear guidance for users.