Is it true a thermometer company tracks fever data?

Are people aware that their thermometer is connected to the Internet and, if so, why would they do that? If they are not aware, is it legal to sell such thermometers without informing the customer?

^^All of that is exactly what I was thinking.

You want a “smart” thermometer, washer, fridge, garage door opener, light switch, etc.

Then buy something with an app and yes, they collect the data.

It is true that a smart thermometer manufactured by Kinsa Health uses an app on cell phones to report high temperature readings.
It is a remarkably smart way to trace flu and disease hot-spots.
If you don’t want them to trace you, don’t use the app, or allow the app access to your wifi or cell signal.

Nurse Ratchett is out to get you!

I’m not sure how that would be a bad thing at this point, but if people don’t want to be tracked, then buy a regular thermometer.

Companies, and the government, track data in all kinds of ways. It is one way they have been tracking the flu for a number of years.

Thermometer sales are tracked by location to see if there is a spike in sales, which would indicate the need to check temperature. The NIH and CDC have also tracked google inquiries on fever and other symptoms to locate outbreaks.

I read several of the articles that refer to Kinsa.

It appears that the thermometer doesn’t give any personally identifying information, just that a human being in zip code 42003 has a temp of 99.5 (or whatever).

That being the case, it seems pretty benign and nothing to worry about. If it reported that John Smith of 123 Main Street, SSN 555–444-3333 age 45 Male has a temp of 99.5 – that would be a different story.

Interesting. Thanks everyone.

I was reading about that today. It’s a smart thermometer and there’s an app that sends the data back to the company. They claim that the info is anonymous and only gives them the zip code where you live. That way there is live data so they can track the progress of the virus and know where to concentrate the resources. Big Brother has been with us for quite some time

This is what I’ve seen Following the conference, Mnuchin said on Fox, “The plan is $500 billion in two tranches. The first one would be $1,000 per person, $500 per child,” or $3,000 for a family of four, he explained. The proposal has since clarified that the checks could be up to $1,200 per adult.

Per the proposal, the first check would be issued on April 6, at the earliest, and another wave of payments might be issued in mid-May, pending how the coronavirus outbreak further impacts the economy.

The Dems are holding the Rep bill hostage claiming that it gives untethered rights to the corporations and basically nothing to the general public. They claim they have a better bill that the Reps don’t want passed but they will get it passed this week. I did read elsewhere that you must have filed a tax return in 2019 and said nothing about quarterly taxes. Don’t know if that’s true but what as originally put forth by Mnuchin

The Dems are holding the Rep bill hostage claiming that it gives untethered rights to the corporations and basically nothing to the general public.

The bill says that the $500B can be loaned out secretly for six months. The administration gets to pick the winners without informing the public,