Canada public health agency tracked mobile devices during lockdown

TORONTO

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) admitted Friday that it tracked 33 million mobile devices to monitor people in lockdowns during to coronavirus pandemic.

PHAC accessed used mobility data, such as cell tower location, from 33 million devices, according to the daily National Post, citing a spokesperson for the agency.

Location data was used to “understand possible links between movement of populations within Canada and spread of COVID-19,” said the spokesperson. He added that the agency signed a contract with the Telus company in March, which expired in October.

"PHAC no longer has access to the location data,” he said.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner did not comment on the issue saying it looks for more information.

Privacy advocates said they were concerned about the data tracking.