Utahns Can Now Opt In for Covid Exposure Mobile Notifications

Opt-in notifications are now an option for Utahns who want to be alerted to possible COVID exposure. Photo: TownLift

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. — Starting today, Utah residents can choose to opt-in or out of a Google/Apple covid exposure notification system.

According to an article by KSL News, users who elect to receive notifications of possible exposure will be alerted via their smartphones using a system developed by Google and Apple. People can opt-out anytime.

Rest assured that the apps using this system cannot track a person’s location, according to an informational video (below) Google produced about the system.

According to KSL, those using Apple smartphone devices with an operating system iOS 12.5 or older can turn on the notifications by going to Settings > Exposure Notifications. The Utah Exposure Notifications app for Android users is located here.

According to the Coronavirus.Utah.gov website, “UT Exposure Notifications is the official state COVID-19 exposure notification system. By enabling this service, you can be quickly notified if you’ve likely been exposed to the virus, allowing you to reduce the risk for your loved ones, seek medical attention, and slow the spread in your community.”

The privacy policy for this system is available online.

This diagram by Google and shared on the Coronavirus.Utah.gov walks users through the notification system and how it helps with contact tracing and stopping the spread of the virus: