Google has issued a fix for an issue affecting apps that use its Exposure Notification System, which includes Canada’s COVID alert app.
The problem appeared to delay the ability of these apps to load or perform regular exposure checks. It’s worth noting that the issue only affected the Android versions of the post notification apps that use the Google framework.
Although Google notes that the problem affected all applications that use its framework, said a spokesman for the Canadian Digital Service. MobileSyrup in an email that “as of 12:30 pm today, our support channels have received no feedback from COVID Alert users experiencing issues.”
“It is important to keep in mind our expectation, based on the information available, that even if it is delayed, the application will automatically check for any exposures once the update reaches Android devices and communicate those notifications in the usual way,” said the spokesman.
Additionally, a Google spokesperson said MobileSyrup that the problem began late on the night of January 12 and caused “delays in the verification of possible exposures for those who had applications installed.”
“We have issued a solution. It may take a few hours for devices to catch up, and in some cases we will work directly with developers to help with recovery. The problem did not cause data loss or possible exposures. “
Google notes that apps continued to collect keys and potential exposures for the duration of the issue, and notifications that have been delayed today will resume.
The delay was due to a problem with the setting of the signing key, as the applications were having trouble downloading the diagnostic keys from their key servers. Google notes that for most apps this was not visible, but that in some cases the apps were displaying persistent loading screens that couldn’t be removed.
Google urges users not to clear storage in its exposure notification app, as some have suggested. This will not fix the problem and could instead cause loss of data in the interim period.