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That's how it can tell you were very close to someone -- all of the other tracking apps do it that way, too.

I'm not familiar with app engineering, but wouldn't the location access be enough for that?

It's not app engineering, it's a comparison of GPS accuracy (especially indoors) vs a bluetooth beacon. Beacons work great no matter where you go.

I'm currently on the 11th floor of a building. GPS accuracy in the vertical dimension is much worse than horizontal. A bluetooth beacon will tell you if I'm in the same room with someone else.

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