Tech giant Google has published mobile phone users’ location data for 131 countries, in the hope that it may help authorities assess the effectiveness of various stay-at-home orders to combat the spread of COVID-19.
The results are varied. Italy for example has seen a drop in traffic to places like shopping centers and recreational areas by 94% compared to the same time last year.
The data also shows surges in activity at parks and grocery stores in some countries, such as the UK.
Google says the info is anonymous — without names, locations of individuals, or other personal info — hoping to allay privacy concerns.
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