Google shows that movement on the streets and in commerce has increased in Brazil

Research Data

In the last survey carried out on March 29, there was growth in movement in the five categories of the research.

The numbers below show the percentage reduction in movement:

• “recreation” (cafes, restaurants and museums, for example) went from 71% to 67%;
• “parks”, (in addition to beaches) went from 70% to 66%;
• “grocery stores and pharmacies”, increased from 35% to 24%;
• “public transport stations”, increased from 62% to 57%;
• “workplaces”, changed from 34% to 30%

Isolation has fallen

In Foco, a technology company that collects data from applications, also carried out a survey that indicates a reduction in social isolation in Brazil.

The data collected in the reports comes from Android phones with the “Location History” feature enabled. The company said it had adopted security measures to ensure that no individual could be identified through the surveys.

This increase in street activity comes at a time when Brazil continues to see a significant increase in the number of cases of the new coronavirus. There are currently over a thousand confirmed deaths.

The government

The government is already studying the possibility of using data from mobile operators to monitor people's movements. For now, mayors are extending the quarantine periods.

In São Paulo, the governor, João Doria, for example, promised tougher measures if the isolation rate does not reach 60% in the coming days.

Information from the different countries analyzed can be accessed by the public.

Google said it had published all reports to avoid any confusion about the data it provided to authorities. The statement came amid a global debate over the balance between protecting privacy and preventing the spread of the virus.