Apple and Google phones will soon reveal if you have been near someone infected by the coronavirus

Apple and Google have announced that they are working together to develop contact tracing tech, which aims to slow the spread of coronavirus.

In an unusual partnership, the two companies intend to add new software to smartphones, to make it easier to identify individuals who might be infected with COVID-19.

To be successful, it would take millions of people to opt into the program and trust the security of the technology giants.

Under the program, smartphones will emit special Bluetooth signals. Phones within about 6ft can then receive anonymous information about their encounters.

Users who end up testing positive for coronavirus can optionally send an encrypted list of phones that they have recently been near to Apple and Google, which will trigger alerts to potentially exposed users to seek more information about what they need to do now.

Public health authorities will have to confirm that an individual has tested positive for COVID-19 before they can send on the data.