IOS 13.5 betas are being released periodically by Apple. The fourth beta is now available to developers and will be a version based mainly on the demands of society after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, all functions need to be polished to avoid problems when the final version is released worldwide. In this new version the configuration of the notification function for exposure to COVID-19 has been renewed, allowing the user greater control over what data is being shared, with which applications and whether or not the tool is activated.
User takes control of exposure notification in iOS 13.5 beta 4
In iOS 13.5 it will be included permanently guidelines and configuration interface of one of the most anticipated functions. It is the API designed by Google and Apple to detect and store what contacts each user has had throughout the day and be able to notify in case the user has been in contact with a positive user for COVID-19. This technology is based on the contact tracing technique making use of the Bluetooth of the phones.
However, the first betas of iOS 13.5 did not show much information about the function and therefore in the fourth beta more information has been included for the user can decide and have all the information relative to the function and whether it is activated or not. In this version, we access the configuration in the function through the Settings app, we see several elements:
- Activation: at the top we see a switch that allows you to activate or deactivate the exposure notification. However, it will be unusable (it cannot be activated or deactivated) until we install an app that allows its use. In this way we prevent the system from activating a useless function.
- Applications that make use of the API: After an introductory paragraph explaining the technology used by the function we can see which applications can make use of the tool. In this way, the user has control of which applications make use of Bluetooth technology to register contacts.
- Delete the exhibition log: finally, we have the option of deleting the log of exposures. That is, delete all contact information that is stored on our phone. Broadly speaking, it means that we would lose the contacts we have had in the last 14 days and we would lose that information permanently.