Smartphone location data can tell if people stay home during the pandemic. Experts worry users are sacrificing privacy for safety.

A pedestrian wearing a face mask passes under the marquee of a theatre in Chicago. The city of Chicago is using location data to help inform its decision-making during the pandemic, said Ruestow. — Chicago Tribune/TNS

CHICAGO: The coronavirus outbreak has sparked a new use for data smartphones collect about users’ locations.

Technology companies are using location data to track how much people are staying at home during the pandemic. Often, the findings are made available to government officials, to help them determine how well containment efforts are working.