I would like to opt out iof covid related updates. How do i do that?

No. The Covid tracing features is baked into the software updates. You cannot have one without the other.

However, there is no tracing going on by default, you need to actually opt in to being tracked for it to do anything. And even when you do, its anonymous unless you choose to share your identity.

See here for details of how it works: https://covid19-static.cdn-apple.com/applications/covid19/current/static/contact-tracing/pdf/ExposureNotification-FAQv1.2.pdf

How will the system protect user privacy and security?

Google and Apple put user privacy at the forefront of this exposure notification technology’s design and have established strict guidelines to ensure that privacy is safeguarded:

1. Each user will have to make an explicit choice to turn on the technology. It can also be turned off by the user at any time.
2. The Exposure Notifications System does not share location data from the user’s device with the Public Health Authority, Apple, or Google
3. Random Bluetooth identifiers rotate every 10-20 minutes, to help prevent tracking.
4. Exposure notifications are only done on the user’s device. In addition people who test positive are not identified by the system to other users, or to Apple or Google.
5. The system is only used to assist contact tracing efforts by public health authorities.
6. Google and Apple will disable the Exposure Notifications System on a regional basis when it is no longer needed.

_pid_ wrote:

I don’t want covid related updates, how do I opt out of them, but still receive software fixes.

There is no opt out.

Proceed with the update.

then when you go to settings - exposure notification you can read for yourself how it works.

The contact tracing feature is “opt-in”.

it is not active unless you activate it.