Tech giants to crackdown on nonofficial coronavirus apps

• 'Only developers from one of these recognized entities should submit an app related to COVID-19,' says Apple.

Tech giants Apple, Google and Amazon have combined efforts to block the nonofficial apps related to the coronavirus from there app stores. 

"The App Store should always be a safe and trusted place for users to download apps. Now more than ever that commitment takes on special significance as the world fights the COVID-19 pandemic," said Apple in a statement.

"To help fulfill these expectations, we're evaluating apps critically to ensure data sources are reputable and that developers presenting these apps are from recognized entities such as government organizations, health-focused NGOs, companies deeply credentialed in health issues, and medical or educational institutions.

"Only developers from one of these recognized entities should submit an app related to COVID-19. Entertainment or game apps with COVID-19 as their theme will not be allowed," Apple added.

Meanwhile, Amazon has applied similar measures blocking all coronavirus apps from unofficial sources. Whereas, search engine Google is also blocking results for searches related to the coronavirus or COVID-19, and is only directing toward the WHO's website and "trusted apps."

It may be mentioned here that the global coronavirus infections have infected hundreds of thousands of people in over 150 countries, and has so far claimed the lives of 6,500 persons.