Brazil: Rio authorities use telecoms geolocation data to enforce quarantine
The Rio de Janeiro City Hall has signed an agreement with telecomunications company TIM to use geolocation data to develop "heat maps" by cross-referencing epidemological hubs with high population density locations. Under the agreement, TIM will pinpoint the movement of its users across Rio de Janeiro through antennae-facilitated geolocation triangulation and send it online to the local government to enable it to monitor whether individuals are complying with isolation measures and assess movement trends before and after the pandemic. TIM has stated that the data will be anonymised, and respectful of data protection rights. The project relies on knowledge acquired in Italy and Europe concerning how to combat the virus and also the experience gathered from projects developed during the Olympics and the World Cup when they took place in Rio de Janeiro.
Writer: Bruno de Amaral
Publication: Teletime