Facebook, Google Launch New Tools to Gather Virus Data
2020-04-09
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1Facebook and Google have launched new tools to gather data on population movements in an effort to fight the spread of the new coronavirus.
2Facebook said in a statement it has created new "disease prevention maps" designed to help researchers identify areas where the virus COVID-19 might spread next.
3The information is based on data from users of the social media service.
4But Facebook says the user data will be processed without any personal information being shared.
5Facebook said its data is designed to provide information about general movements in and around cities, but not the activities of single individuals.
6One of the Facebook tools is called a "co-location map."
7It aims to use data to predict the probability that people in one area will come in contact with people in another.
8Another map is meant to measure the effectiveness of stay-at-home orders put in place by governments in many parts of the world.
9Data is collected in areas to see if people are staying near their homes or are also visiting other parts of the area.
10Such information is meant to help officials decide "whether preventive measures are headed in the right direction," Facebook said.
11A third tool creates maps that show Facebook friendships across states and countries.
12The data can map a percentage of "social connectedness" in specific areas.
13The company said this data is provided to medical professionals to help them predict the likelihood of disease spread.
14It can also help officials learn how social ties can help communities fight and recover from the crisis.
15The data is shared on a daily basis with local officials and nonprofit organizations across the world.
16The new maps are part of Facebook's Data for Good program, which the company says attempts to use its huge supply of data to address important humanitarian issues.
17In addition to the maps, Facebook announced it was partnering with university researchers to seek health information from some users willing to share it.
18The program is part of a research project created by America's Carnegie Mellon University.
19Beginning this week, some U.S. Facebook users will see a link at the top of their News Feed they can follow if they would like to take part in a survey about their personal health situation.
20Researchers hope to use the survey data to create "heat maps" of self-reported coronavirus symptoms.
21The information could also help officials predict where medical resources will be needed.
22Facebook promised it had taken steps to protect the privacy of those taking the survey.
23The company said it would not share the personal identities of its users with researchers from Carnegie Mellon.
24It added that the researchers will also not share individual survey answers with Facebook.
25If results are successful, Facebook says it will make similar surveys available to users in other parts of the world.
26Google also recently announced a similar data gathering program, which creates "community mobility reports" for more than 100 nations.
27Google said the project does not involve use of personally identifiable information, such as an individual's location, contacts or movement.
28Google has long collected data for its Maps app to show how movements of people affect how busy different businesses are throughout the day.
29Public health officials have requested such data now to help fight the worldwide coronavirus crisis.
30The reports - which are published online - provide information on the movements of people to several places in the community.
31These include trips to stores, recreation areas, parks, transportation centers, workplaces and homes.
32The reports show percentage increases or decreases in visits to those places.
33Google said it hopes the information on the most and least visited places can help officials decide on future policies and resources aimed at fighting the virus.
34I'm Bryan Lynn.
1Facebook and Google have launched new tools to gather data on population movements in an effort to fight the spread of the new coronavirus. 2Facebook said in a statement it has created new "disease prevention maps" designed to help researchers identify areas where the virus COVID-19 might spread next. 3The information is based on data from users of the social media service. But Facebook says the user data will be processed without any personal information being shared. Facebook said its data is designed to provide information about general movements in and around cities, but not the activities of single individuals. 4One of the Facebook tools is called a "co-location map." It aims to use data to predict the probability that people in one area will come in contact with people in another. 5Another map is meant to measure the effectiveness of stay-at-home orders put in place by governments in many parts of the world. Data is collected in areas to see if people are staying near their homes or are also visiting other parts of the area. Such information is meant to help officials decide "whether preventive measures are headed in the right direction," Facebook said. 6A third tool creates maps that show Facebook friendships across states and countries. The data can map a percentage of "social connectedness" in specific areas. The company said this data is provided to medical professionals to help them predict the likelihood of disease spread. It can also help officials learn how social ties can help communities fight and recover from the crisis. 7The data is shared on a daily basis with local officials and nonprofit organizations across the world. The new maps are part of Facebook's Data for Good program, which the company says attempts to use its huge supply of data to address important humanitarian issues. 8In addition to the maps, Facebook announced it was partnering with university researchers to seek health information from some users willing to share it. The program is part of a research project created by America's Carnegie Mellon University. 9Beginning this week, some U.S. Facebook users will see a link at the top of their News Feed they can follow if they would like to take part in a survey about their personal health situation. 10Researchers hope to use the survey data to create "heat maps" of self-reported coronavirus symptoms. The information could also help officials predict where medical resources will be needed. 11Facebook promised it had taken steps to protect the privacy of those taking the survey. The company said it would not share the personal identities of its users with researchers from Carnegie Mellon. It added that the researchers will also not share individual survey answers with Facebook. If results are successful, Facebook says it will make similar surveys available to users in other parts of the world. 12Google mobility reports 13Google also recently announced a similar data gathering program, which creates "community mobility reports" for more than 100 nations. Google said the project does not involve use of personally identifiable information, such as an individual's location, contacts or movement. 14Google has long collected data for its Maps app to show how movements of people affect how busy different businesses are throughout the day. Public health officials have requested such data now to help fight the worldwide coronavirus crisis. 15The reports - which are published online - provide information on the movements of people to several places in the community. These include trips to stores, recreation areas, parks, transportation centers, workplaces and homes. The reports show percentage increases or decreases in visits to those places. 16Google said it hopes the information on the most and least visited places can help officials decide on future policies and resources aimed at fighting the virus. 17I'm Bryan Lynn. 18Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from Facebook, Google, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Hai Do was the editor. 19We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. 20________________________________________________________________ 21Words in This Story 22location - n. a place or position 23survey - n. an examination of people's opinions or behavior made by asking people questions 24symptom - n. a physical feeling or problem that shows that someone has a particular illness 25app - n. a program for a smartphone or other device that performs a special function 26recreation - n. activities people do for enjoyment when they are not working