In coronavirus fight, oft-criticised Facebook data aids US cities, states

The Covid-19 Mobility Data Network is a group of 40 health researchers from universities including Harvard, Princeton and Johns Hopkins

Since mid-March, its members have been sharing insights gleaned from Facebook’s data with California, Massachusetts and New York City

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People are seen taking a walk and getting fresh air while social distancing on the closed of Park Avenue on March 27, 2020 in New York City. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:34am, 3 Apr 2020Updated: 9:34am, 3 Apr 2020

Infectious disease researchers are using Facebook mobile location data to provide daily updates to US cities and states evaluating the effectiveness of social distancing orders aimed at slowing the novel coronavirus.

The Covid-19 Mobility Data Network, a group of 40 health researchers from universities including Harvard, Princeton and Johns Hopkins, said that since mid-March its members have been sharing insights gleaned from the social media giant’s data with California, Massachusetts and New York City.

Using mobile location data in the coronavirus fight comes amid intense scrutiny of the privacy practices of tech companies, which collect detailed information about people’s interests on apps and websites, often to target ads.

Facebook and the researchers leading the project say they have overcome those concerns by aggregating the data several times over and funnelling it through academics. The researchers share broad findings with state and local health departments, which do not receive any raw data.

Facebook confirmed it was sharing the data as part of its nearly year-old Disease Prevention Maps program, which has also aided efforts to increase vaccination rates in Malawi and track cholera outbreaks in Mozambique.

Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg told reporters last month that he would not consider sharing Facebook’s data directly with governments.