Coronavirus Map: Apple tracks changes in travel behavior

Last Updated on 2 years by admin

Apple’s new tool now tracks the travel behavior of people who use its Maps app. According to blogs, the information is produced using counting the number of requests made to Apple Maps for directions. It also states that the information linked with the Apple ID is not collected, and no history info stored with user’s whereabouts. The iPhone-maker does not believe sharing the information in a Coronavirus Map compromises its users’ privacy. Also, Apple provides options to transfer its data as a spreadsheet, making it easy for investigators and media to make use of the statistics within their own models.

Extracted from Apple -“Privacy is a fundamental human right. At Apple, it’s also one of our core values, so Maps doesn’t associate your data with your Apple ID, and Apple doesn’t keep a history of where you’ve been.”

Coronavirus Map / The Mobility Trends Report produces three daily percentage figures. Which shows how many fewer people are

• Driving
• walking
• using public transport

This information compares with 13 January, the date before the lockdowns came into effect. The screenshots shared below supports more with your understanding.

Furthermore, mobility Trends Report covers major cities and national figures for 63 countries. The mainland of China is not in the coved list

Regions coved by Apple the Mobility Trends or the Coronavirus Map

Apple follows a similar effort by Google.

Google’s COVID-19 Community Mobility reports contain more details without question. Google covers 130 countries. And also report on how busy different types of locations are. However, Google has only provided such data for two dates since its launch date 3^rd April.

Apple and Google don’t think or has any intention to share its user’s information other than the counts. Yet some privacy experts have noted that Google and Apple’s initiatives highlight the insights they are able to collect from the people using their mobile devices.

Google stands ahead among the reports. But, unlike Google, iPhone maker Apple allows you to export the raw data with a single click. This helps rather than just giving a snapshot. Apple also provides daily readings from 1/13/2020 right up to last Sunday. All this is found in their official website

Also, Coronavirus Map, The Mobility Trends Report and COVID-19 Community Mobility report are made to save people from the Coronavirus.

Findings from both Apple & Googles two sets of statistics tell is broadly dependable. France and Italy have bigger drops in activity compared to UK, reflecting their tighter lockdowns. And the United States is slightly behind. Also, a bit of a surge in activity is shown in the UK on ‘Good Friday’, with driving up the numbers to 65% of normal levels. However, by Sunday it had dashed back.

Questionable areas

• Apple tracks data by users requesting directions. How many of us usually do that for short walks in our neighborhood? Therefore, can the walking numbers be reliable?
• Compared to Google apple might have fewer data as Google uses information from all Android users who are agreed to have the location tracker on. This is even common for Apple users who has Google Maps installed. So, can the numbers be shown in Apple Mobility Trends Report be dependable?

However, in general, the data will provide the government with a better background to assure that folks are obeying with the lockdown restrictions.