Beijing to set up population data over cell phone

Beijing is to set up a dynamic daily trip information platform for its citizen to smoothen the traffic jam in urban areas, according to news from the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission yesterday.

According to the commission, the authorities are expected to cooperate with China Mobile to utilize data from its 17 million cell phone subscribers in Beijing to develop the platform, which will give the government a leg up to grasp a basic understanding of the population distribution and flow distribution at different times at selected areas.

The deputy director of the commission, Li Guoguang said that this platform is to utilize cellular location technology through 17 million China Mobile cell phone users to obtain real-time information on their activities. It is available to acquire living and working situations for residents, which will give the government a leg up to grasp a precise understanding of the population distribution and flow distribution at different times at selected areas.

“By sending dynamic travel information to citizens, they can adjust their trip plan in downtown areas to effectively relieve traffic congestion”, the official said.

“It is also fairly beneficial for population management,” Li said, “Information obtained through the mobile phone location is more thoroughly in terms of figuring out the population of a certain dwelling district.”

The official razed out worries about leakage of individual privacy. He said all personal data are to protect tightly and opened data has no relation with individual information.

Government departments are expected to be benefited from this platform in setting out public transport layouts and drawing up more scientific population management measures. Individual customized services are also to be carried out, he said.

The first batch of selected areas is two populous areas in northern Beijing, Huilongguan and Tiantong Yuan in Changping District.

By Li Mu, People's Daily Online