In a commentary published in the journal Cell Reports Sustainability, scientists advocate for the free and accessible use of mobility data for research purposes, particularly in understanding human-wildlife interactions. With the COVID-19 pandemic limiting human mobility and allowing for a unique opportunity to observe wildlife behavior, scientists formed the COVID-19 Bio-Logging Initiative to study these interactions using tracking data from animal-attached devices. However, accessing human-mobility data proved to be a challenge due to its typically private and commercial nature, with financial and logistical barriers hindering researchers’ ability to understand sustainability challenges.
To address this issue, the authors propose that governments and international organizations collaborate with companies to make human-mobility data freely available for research. They suggest using lessons learned from government-facilitated access to satellite remote sensing data for public good, emphasizing the potential benefits of accessing such data for sustainability research. The researchers envision aggregated datasets devoid of personal identifiers, counting the number of devices in a specific area over a defined period. With over 5.9 billion individuals globally owning cell phones, this data can help shed light on the interconnectedness of human, animal, and ecosystem health.
The researchers believe that making human-mobility data available for research will not harm the market for more detailed commercial applications. In fact, they argue that sharing aggregated data could generate further demand for bespoke, detailed data products and potentially expand the global user base for such data. By promoting corporate digital responsibility and contributing to conservation and sustainability efforts, sharing data for research purposes could be a mutually beneficial arrangement for both researchers and private companies.
The authors emphasize the importance of community-driven collaboration in this effort, working with companies to understand their concerns and find solutions that benefit all parties involved. They also stress the need for government facilitation in addressing privacy policies around human-mobility data, given the variations in regulations globally. Ultimately, empowering individuals to consider how their data is used is crucial in promoting transparency and ethical practices in the use of mobility data for research purposes. By working together, researchers, companies, and governmental bodies can harness the potential of mobility data to advance conservation efforts and inform sustainability policies.
