By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com

ALABAMA — An app that will alert citizens if they've been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 will soon be available in the State of Alabama.

The app, which is being developed by MotionMobs in Birmingham, uses Bluetooth signals between two phones to alert users if they spent more than 15 minutes within six feet of someone who later tested positive for the virus.

If installed, the app broadcasts a unique, always changing set of characters that serves as an identifier to other phones. If a person tests positive for COVID-19, they must voluntarily enter that information into the app.

During an interview with al.com, Dr. Selwyn Vickers, Dean of the University of Alabama at Birmingham's School of Medicine, stated the app does not store user locations or identity.

"I think there will be a small vocal few who say, 'I don't want my privacy invaded,' but I think there will be a big majority who will endorse this to say 'We want to do all we can to protect our community,'" said Vickers.

Last month, Governor Kay Ivey (R-Ala.) announced the State of Alabama had inked a deal with Apple and Google to use a contact tracing app. The technology, which is being developed alongside public health experts, is also being used by states like North Dakota and South Carolina, as well as the countries of Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands.