Tech giants are stepping up to the plate to play a part in the coronavirus pandemic response, tapping into their wide-ranging resources to help experts get a handle on the spread of the virus and to fill in gaps in the government’s response. But it’s not clear yet how — or to what extent — those efforts could help bring the crisis under control.
In recent weeks, major tech companies have publicized stronger efforts to police misinformation on their platforms, rolled out testing and triage tools, and donated masks and other medical supplies. They’re helping health officials share accurate information and providing academic researchers with massive data sets to help predict the spread of the virus or forecast its impact on hospitals.
The response has drawn praise for Big Tech companies, who have long been beleaguered by criticism about privacy violations, harassment and misinformation on their platforms, and other problems.
About the Author Reprints
