Facebook and Google are considering the idea of using personal data from individuals to monitor and counter the coronavirus outbreak in Washington, the US media reported. The project will include gathering location data from smartphones and remotely tracking the spread of the disease and, for example, forecasting emergency care needs.
Google Speaker Johnny Luu claimed in a statement to the Washington Post that they are "exploring ways in which aggregate anonymous localization data will contribute towards combating COVID-19."
AFP requests for feedback were not received by the two technology giants.
After several controversies–for example, in 2011 when the National Security Agency discovered out it was gathering phone records without permission–the use of personal data in the United States is highly sensitive.
Yet there has been supporting for Silicon Valley, after about 50 scientists signed an open letter last week to urges them to act, to use their skills to tackle the deadly virus.
It is clear that the massive efforts made across technology channels will move the scales right-hand side to contain the pandemic and save thousands, if not millions, of lives.
Certain initiatives included the streaming of education videos, the delivery of disinfectants by Uber to drivers, and the restricted selling of Amazon masks and hydro-alcoholic gels per user.
As far as Apple and Google are concerned, "they need to incorporate a monitoring feature in the operating system on their telephones that users can choose to trigger anonymously to decide whether they are present in the presence of reported cases."
"To prevent any potential epidemics, such a program will be safer in the long run," they said. "Contacts between people in China and in South Korea have been well documented and such a tool will make it perfect for widespread use everywhere."
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