Contact tracing offers a way to proactively help individuals know if they may be at higher risk due to exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus so that they can take relevant measures including going into self-quarantine and getting tested. I will describe two protocols for privacy-sensitive contact tracing developed at USC Viterbi that are based on the exchange of anonymous information via short-range Bluetooth contacts. This work and those of other academic researchers are connected to the recent announcement by Apple and Google that they are collaborating on an interoperable API for such contact tracing apps. I will also survey many other ongoing efforts around the world to implement privacy-sensitive contact tracing apps, and some of the challenges they face in terms of adoption and effectiveness.

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