Facebook and Google in talks with Washington to track infections: US media

Facebook and Google are in talks with Washington over potentially using individuals' personal data to track and combat coronavirus outbreak, US media reported.

project would involve collecting location information from Americans' smartphones and using it anymously to map spre of disease and predict urgent medical needs, for example.

In a statement to Washington Post, Google spokesman Johnny Luu confirmed y were "exploring ways that aggregated anymized location information could help in fight against COVID-19."

two tech giants did t respond to AFP requests for comment.

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'Usable anywhere'

use of personal data in US is highly sensitive after several scandals -- such as in 2011 when National Security ncy was found to be collecting phone records without permission.

But pressure has mounted for Silicon Valley to use ir expertize to fight dely virus, after roughly 50 scientists signed an open letter last week calling on m to act.

"It is clear that large-scale efforts by techlogy platforms could tip scales on right side to contain pandemic and save thousands if t millions of lives," doctors, epidemiologists and researchers wrote.

Among or suggestions, y recommended social networks brocast educational videos, Uber distribute disinfectant products to its drivers, and Amazon limits number of masks and hydro-alcoholic gels that can be sold per person.

As for Apple and Google, "y should integrate into operating system of phones a tracking tool, which users could choose to activate, anymously, to find out if y have been in presence of identified cases."

People could quarantine mselves if necessary and monitor appearance of any symptoms.

"In longer term, such a system would better contain or future epidemics," y ded. "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."

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