Washington Unveils Coronavirus Exposure Notification App

OLYMPIA, WA — Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday unveiled the "WA Notify" smartphone app to alert users when they have come into contact with someone who later tests positive for the coronavirus.

By Monday afternoon, Inslee said more than 200,000 Washingtonians had already activated the app.

Washington joins several other states, including Colorado, New York and Virginia, that have implemented the voluntary tool as an added measure to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Monday's announcement comes as the state grapples with skyrocketing COVID-19 case counts and concerning hospitalization trends.

According to the governor's office, the app uses Bluetooth to exchange random, anonymous codes with nearby phones equipped with the app, without sharing indentifying information.

Those who test positive for the virus will be given a code to enter into their phone, which will then notify anyone who came near the infected person within the previous two weeks.

"Secure, private and anonymous exposure notification technology is an important tool for Washington," Inslee said in a statement Monday. "We've deployed WA Notify in 29 languages so as many Washington residents as possible can protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities. I encourage everyone to start using WA Notify today so we can continue to work together to contain the virus."

WA Notify is free and can be enabled through iPhone settings or downloaded as a standalone app for Android phones on the Google Play store.

According to a news release published Monday, an oversight committee comprised of security experts, civil liberties advocates and community leaders recommended the state authorize the app, which was also tested among University of Washington students during November.

"People are understandably concerned these days about being tracked and having their personal information compromised," said Sefanto Tessaro, a UW computer science professor. "However, the technology behind WA Notify has been vetted by security and privacy experts across the world, and it does not collect or store any information that personally identifies its users."

Recent studies found that, if even just a small number of people enable the app, COVID-19 illnesses and deaths could be reduced. The more people that use it, the more effective it is.

"WA Notify compliments the actions Washington residents are already taking, like wearing masks, physical distancing and keeping gatherings small," said John Wiesman, state Secretary of Health. "We're excited to be joining the states already using this safe and secure technology and encourage all Washingtonians to join the effort."

Last week, officials announced the state would hire another 350 people in the coming weeks to assist with contact tracing and case investigation efforts across Washington and help manage the rapidly increasing workload.