Coronavirus: Facebook to gather information about users' health in attempt to create covid-19 'heatmap'

Facebook is launching a survey of its users that will attempt to track the spread of covid-19. The system will appear at the top of the news feed and encourage people to describe their own health so that information can be passed onto researchers. That data could then help guide responses to the crisis, including allowing the development of a heatmap of reported symptoms that can be used to track where coronavirus could be spreading. It is part of a series of responses to the outbreak revealed by Facebook as part of its "Data for Good" programme. As well as asking users to participate in the survey, Facebook will also use its data to help generate maps and charts of how people are behaving under coronavirus lockdown.