The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York has asked Apple to develop alternative ways for iPhone users to unlock their devices, saying that subway riders remove face masks to activate face recognition.
MTA chairman Patrick Foye warned in a letter to CEO Tim Cook that the practice of removing masks could spread the novel coronavirus on public transportation, The Associated Press reported.
“We understand that Apple is working to address the issue and know that Apple has a range of technologies as a global leader among tech companies,” Foye wrote in the letter sent Sunday. “We urge Apple to accelerate the deployment of new technologies and solutions that will further protect customers during the COVID-19 era.”
Apple has already responded to the pandemic by letting users go directly to a password screen instead of waiting for the device to try to identify the user’s face. Apple Pay Express Transit also allows riders to pay without face recognition on certain bus and metro lines.
Foye told Cook the MTA would be willing to help Apple spread the word about the adjustments to make riders aware of the options.
“There is nothing more important to us than the health and safety of our customers,” Apple told the AP. “We are fully committed to continuing with the MTA to support its efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
The MTA has taken unusual steps to prevent the spread of the virus, which virologists say is a particular danger in volume, enclosed spaces.
For the first time on record, the subway was closed in the early hours of the morning for deep cleaning, and the MTA also required all riders to wear masks. More than 90 percent of the riders have met the mask requirements in recent weeks, according to the agency.
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