ZCZC
BFF-21
USA-EPIDEMIC-HEALTH-VIRUS-TECH
Facebook and Google in talks with Washington to track infections: US media
SAN FRANCISCO, March 18, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Facebook and Google are in talks
with Washington over potentially using individuals’ personal data to track
and combat the coronavirus outbreak, US media reported.
The project would involve collecting location information from Americans’
smartphones and using it anonymously to map the spread of the disease and
predict urgent medical needs, for example.
In a statement to the Washington Post, Google spokesman Johnny Luu
confirmed they were “exploring ways that aggregated anonymized location
information could help in the fight against COVID-19.”
The two tech giants did not respond to AFP requests for comment.
The use of personal data in the US is highly sensitive after several
scandals — such as in 2011 when the National Security Agency was found to be
collecting phone records without permission.
But pressure has mounted for Silicon Valley to use their expertize to
fight the deadly virus, after roughly 50 scientists signed an open letter
last week calling on them to act.
“It is clear that large-scale efforts by technology platforms could tip
the scales on the right side to contain the pandemic and save thousands if
not millions of lives,” the doctors, epidemiologists and researchers wrote.
Among other suggestions, they recommended social networks broadcast
educational videos, Uber distribute disinfectant products to its drivers, and
Amazon limit the number of masks and hydro-alcoholic gels that can be sold
per person.
As for Apple and Google, “they should integrate into the operating system
of the phones a tracking tool, which users could choose to activate,
anonymously, to find out if they have been in the presence of identified
cases.”
People could quarantine themselves if necessary and monitor the appearance
of any symptoms.
“In the longer term, such a system would better contain other future
epidemics,” they added. “Tracking contacts between people has worked well in
China and South Korea, and such a tool would make this method usable
everywhere, on a large scale.”
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1634 hrs