More than half (52%) of broadband households in the United States express a willingness to share smartphone data to assist in COVID-19 contact tracing, while another 20% could be convinced provided privacy protections are in place, according to a Parks Associates survey.

“Use of telehealth services nearly tripled year-over-year, with 41% of U.S. broadband households having used a telehealth service in the past 12 months,” says Kristen Hanich, senior analyst, Parks Associates.

Hanich continues, “This increased usage of telehealth services comes as many consumers are unable or unwilling — to visit a physician in person due to widespread efforts to minimize in-person contact with patients. It is a dramatic switch for both care providers and telehealth services, and provided patients have a good experience, the market is likely to see continued usage on a permanent basis.”

The research firm’s report, “COVID-19: Impact on Telehealth Use and Perspectives,” is said to track changes in consumer attitudes and adoption of telehealth services as a result of the pandemic and measures future interest in telehealth services beyond the crisis.

The report also found that those who experienced COVID-19 symptoms are more willing to share smartphone data to aid in contact tracing than those who have not experienced symptoms. Still, nearly half of those who have not experienced symptoms are willing to share their smartphone data.

From the article "Research Finds Over Half of U.S. Citizens Open to Sharing Data to Help Fight Coronavirus".