Federal government in talks with tech groups to use phone location data to track coronavirus: report

The federal government is in talks with Facebook, Google and other tech companies about ways to use smartphone location data to tackle the coronavirus, The Washington Post reported Tuesday. Washington is reportedly interested in using the data to better understand how the virus spreads and to see whether people are practicing social distancing. A new task force made up of tech and other industry executives presented ideas for the use of the location data at a White House meeting Sunday, the Post reported. Presenters included officials from Harvard University and representatives from top tech groups and Silicon Valley firms.