Facebook asks users to share location for coronavirus research

Facebook Inc will start surveying some U.S. users on Monday to help researchers from Carnegie Mellon University generate new insights on how to respond to the pandemic crisis. “Heat maps” of self-reported virus infections were also included in the survey.

Facebook users will see a link at the top of their News Feed that will direct them to the survey. According to the researchers, this survey will help them locate where medical resources are most needed. Facebook stated that the survey will be accessible to users in other countries if the result is successful.

Facebook posted that the Carnegie Mellon researchers “won’t share individual survey responses with Facebook, and Facebook won’t share information about who you are with the researchers.”