The usage of personal data to combat Covid-19

[kleinlukas]

Lately I have been thinking about how important it is to evaluate the use of personal data in the fight against covid 19. The issue here is, after all, about weighing up health and privacy.
This interview from a European research project in particular has given me something to think about: https://bit.ly/Covid-19personaldata

 

[jpishgar]

What are your thoughts on regulations pending for the use of this data?

 

[Hayseed]

It's legal now and all ISPs do it. They collect all your device locations and clicks. Phone calls too. It would be hypocritical for any to object for the government to piggyback this data in an emergency medical situation.

I hope we have not reached the point where it's ok to spy for marketing profit , but not use the data to save human lives.

[Moderator Comment: Edited to remove off-topic political commentary.]

 

[jpishgar]

It's used for marketing profit, most assuredly, but there's also a very good use being deployed in assessing mobility in regions likely to be hit harder by the virus.

Take a look at the Covid-19 Mobility maps by Google. https://www.google.com/covid19/mobility/

While it does showcase the tracking capabilities of the software on our phones, it's also presenting incredibly useful data in determining where and how we're going to be hit hardest due to reductions in self-isolation and social distancing. This data can be used for good - it remains to be seen if it will.