Phone location data during an outbreak
- Kind
- Policy and health systems
Prompt
During a serious outbreak, should a city be allowed to use anonymous location data from people's phones to check whether residents are following a stay-at-home order?
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After you practice: what this question tests and how to approach it
What this question tests
- Critical thinking
- Ethical reasoning
- Health systems and advocacy
How to approach this question
This panel interview question tests whether you can balance public health against individual liberty and privacy when the threat is serious and the tool is powerful. Start by naming the interests on each side: residents' right to move without being watched, the city's duty to protect vulnerable people, and the trust between government and the public. Ask the questions that decide the answer, such as how anonymous the data truly is, who can see it, how long it's kept, and whether it's used to punish individuals or only to measure overall compliance. Consider less intrusive alternatives and whether this tool would actually work. Then take a position with clear conditions attached, such as a time limit and independent oversight. Interviewers want a reasoned stance, so avoid sitting on the fence.
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