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Alphabet, Walmart join U.S. effort to speed up coronavirus testing

reuters.com

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Re: Alphabet, Walmart join U.S. effort to speed up coronavirus testing

#2
Why is Google (and for that matter Apple) not helping to track the prior movement of every coronavirus patient where possible to identify additional potentially exposed individuals?

Seems fairly straightforward given their massive surveillance infrastructure.

Anyone at Apple or Google actually going to pitch in here and offer meaningful help?

So far, crickets.

Re: Alphabet, Walmart join U.S. effort to speed up coronavirus testing

#4
post #2

Why is Google (and for that matter Apple) not helping to track the prior movement of every coronavirus patient where possible to identify additional potentially exposed individuals? Seems fairly straightforward given their massive surveillance infrastructure. Anyone at Apple or Google actually going to pitch in here and offer meaningful help? So far, crickets.

Because that would be an incredible violation of privacy and is probably illegal?

I’m not even sure China does that.

Re: Alphabet, Walmart join U.S. effort to speed up coronavirus testing

#5
post #2

Why is Google (and for that matter Apple) not helping to track the prior movement of every coronavirus patient where possible to identify additional potentially exposed individuals? Seems fairly straightforward given their massive surveillance infrastructure. Anyone at Apple or Google actually going to pitch in here and offer meaningful help? So far, crickets.

I don't think the location history is very accurate. Either the polling interval is too low, or they use less power consuming location services, but Google fudges my history a good amount of time.

Re: Alphabet, Walmart join U.S. effort to speed up coronavirus testing

#6
post #2

Why is Google (and for that matter Apple) not helping to track the prior movement of every coronavirus patient where possible to identify additional potentially exposed individuals? Seems fairly straightforward given their massive surveillance infrastructure. Anyone at Apple or Google actually going to pitch in here and offer meaningful help? So far, crickets.

It would probably be bad PR for them to reveal the extent of their surveillance.

Re: Alphabet, Walmart join U.S. effort to speed up coronavirus testing

#8
post #2

Why is Google (and for that matter Apple) not helping to track the prior movement of every coronavirus patient where possible to identify additional potentially exposed individuals? Seems fairly straightforward given their massive surveillance infrastructure. Anyone at Apple or Google actually going to pitch in here and offer meaningful help? So far, crickets.

Because that would shine a light on just how creepy this all is. We know they do it but the normal person might be a bit concerned if Google and Apple just announced "We track you everywhere and who you interact with."

My sister finally came around to thinking Facebook was going to far so she switched to Instagram. We had a uncomfortable conversation last month when I broke the news to her.

Re: Alphabet, Walmart join U.S. effort to speed up coronavirus testing

#9

Found it strange that some parts of media decided to focus on the semantics of Google and Verily being different subsidiaries of Alphabet. This is an almost meaningless detail.

It’s par for the course for the media to flip on any minute detail of a Trump comment that they think will get a rise out of people.

Re: Alphabet, Walmart join U.S. effort to speed up coronavirus testing

#10

Found it strange that some parts of media decided to focus on the semantics of Google and Verily being different subsidiaries of Alphabet. This is an almost meaningless detail.

Because what was said in the press conference is very, very, very, very, very, different from whats going on inside Google and Verily. Think: someone had an idea for a much, much, more limited in scope project for a very small area _that morning_. Not a nationwide exposure detector somehow built by 1700 engineers to be launched in the next week.
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