Apple and Google are working to build contact tracing technology into their operating systems.

The tech giants are working together to build in technology to slow the spread of COVID-19 by with an opt-in a system that catalogues other phones they have been near.

The idea is for mobile devices to trade information via Bluetooth connections to alert people when they have close to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

The companies say they want to put the software inside their underlying operating systems, so that users do not have to download any apps to begin logging nearby phones.

Apple and Google say the technology will not track the location or identity of users, only capturing data when users’ phones have been near each other.

Data will be encrypted on the user's phone rather than the companies' servers. This is important, as there are significant concerns about the privacy ramification of the mass surveillance measures.

GPS location data is not part of the effort, the companies say.