Two tech titans — Apple and Google — teamed up to help governments with coronavirus contact tracing. Are you surprised?

Perhaps most remarkable for some observers was a joint effort of such magnitude for these giants. They have one of the biggest rivalries in the world of technology. They also have been known to resist government pressure, which makes their project even more notable.

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But let’s back up. What did these Big Tech leaders do?

In April, Apple and Google announced they would be working together to develop a digital tool aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. Through iPhone and Android devices, the two companies have a presence in the lives of billions worldwide (including most of the 81 percent of Americans with smartphones). They did not intend to build a contact tracing app themselves. Rather they would create a special API (application programming interface) that can be an engine for mobile apps built by governments.

Apple and Google publicly released their exposure notification tool this week. (They prefer the term “exposure notification” to  “contract tracing”). It employs Bluetooth signals, which are low energy beacons that help our phones interact with other nearby devices. A record of that signal could theoretically help determine whether you were in hazardous proximity to someone later confirmed to be infected with COVID-19.

Because this virus can be dangerous in people before they shows symptoms, a tool like this could become handy — again, in theory.

And that leads to what may be another surprise.

You might think governments are chomping at the bit to get this tool — and certainly some nations and states are becoming quick adopters — reports have indicated that  interest is not universal. Why?

Well, some may be concerned about the accuracy of the technology. Can Bluetooth tell whether you are having dinner with a friend versus being stuck in traffic next to someone with your car windows rolled up? The distance and duration of signal interaction could be the same. Might there be a risk with false positives (or negatives)?

Others may be worried about the costs of building and maintaining such apps, as well as systems to responsibly use the sensitive data those apps would collect.

Still others could be wanting more than what Apple and Google are willing to give. Big Tech companies have come under intense scrutiny for their treatment of customer content and data — rightly so. U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) wasn’t out on a limb when expressing privacy concerns with this new tool (he told Google that its record “is not exactly reassuring”). To be fair, though, their Bluetooth approach is actually one of the more cautious tracing ideas out there. Also, the tech titans have insisted that government apps built around their engine be both voluntary for consumers and not able to access a user’s location data.

And that leads us to one more possible surprise. How many (or how few) people will actually volunteer to use such apps?

I think most people— myself included — remain confident in public health workers on the frontlines fighting this deadly pandemic. I know I am thankful for their sacrifices! But we also know Americans are wary of big government. For example, some observers worried a federal contact tracing bill could lead to serious abuses of power (IFA flagged it here), and enough voters raised their voices that the legislation’s sponsor in Congress is now actively attempting to mitigate those concerns.

So how many people are likely to proactively and voluntarily download a tracking app based on Apple and Google’s tool and give it permissions to share data that governments want? A recent Washington Post poll suggests about 60 percent of Americans either can’t or probably won’t.

And if people won’t volunteer, then what happens? That is what really raises a caution flag in my mind.

Could people be convinced to comply by suggesting they cannot use certain places of public accommodation without an app? Or might they be required by workplaces to have such an app active? If so, is that ok?

I’d be glad to read your thoughts in the comments section below. Indeed, these are questions citizens and our government leaders will need to wrestle with. And they most certainly will need to be covered in prayer.

Aaron Mercer is a Contributing Writer with two decades of experience in Washington, D.C.’s public policy arena and Christian associations. A seasoned strategist, he aids organizations with research, analysis, and writing services, and he reflects on faith, technology, and the public square at FTPolicy.com.