Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

iOS 12 to Automatically Share Exact Location With Emergency Responders

posted by Fnord666 on Tuesday June 19 2018, @10:54AM   Printer-friendly
from the marco-polo dept.

takyon writes:

This Apple Update Could Prove To Be A True Lifesaver

With about 80 percent of 911 calls made from mobile devices, it's sometimes difficult for emergency responders to pinpoint the location of those callers.

On Monday, Apple unveiled plans to work with 911 centers to automatically share the exact locations of iPhone users that need to call in an emergency.

Under a collaboration with startup company RapidSOS, Apple's current Hybridized Emergency Location system will integrate with 911 centers' existing software. Apple's system uses technology that estimates a phone's location with data from cell towers, GPS and Wi-Fi access points.

The update is expected to roll out later this year as part of iOS 12, the next version of Apple's mobile operating system. Google is testing a similar system for Android-based phones.

Privacy concerns have been at the center of this sort of location sharing in the past. However, Apple said that with the new feature, "user data cannot be used for any non-emergency purpose and only the responding 911 center will have access to the user's location during an emergency call."

Original Submission

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
iOS 12 to Automatically Share Exact Location With Emergency Responders | Log In/Create an Account | Top | 15 comments | Search Discussion
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.

  • (Score: 3, Funny) by Gaaark on Tuesday June 19 2018, @03:19PM (3 children)

    by Gaaark (41) on Tuesday June 19 2018, @03:19PM (#695049) Journal

    "He's at 4th and Bimmer.....5th and Bimmer....6th and Bimmer..."

    Headline news: man dies on bus after apping 911...."

    Yeah, our only lifelines were our friends: "You broke your leg? I'll run, get help."

    "Your head smashed open?....nice knowing you buddy."

    "That poisonous snake bit your penis? BYEEE!"

    --
    --- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
    Starting Score:    1  point
    Moderation   +1  
       Funny=1, Total=1
    Extra 'Funny' Modifier   0  
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  
    Total Score:   3  

  • (Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Tuesday June 19 2018, @03:33PM

    by Runaway1956 (2926) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday June 19 2018, @03:33PM (#695063) Journal

    ROFLMAO - that damned snake is famous, isn't it?

  • (Score: 2) by crafoo on Tuesday June 19 2018, @11:10PM (1 child)

    by crafoo (6639) on Tuesday June 19 2018, @11:10PM (#695352)

    LOL you still believe in the police system and first responders! How adorable. Got news. You bust your head open and you still will bleed out. Cops and EMTs are too busy responding to 911's that have the possibility of producing a conviction.

    • (Score: 2) by Gaaark on Wednesday June 20 2018, @12:26AM

      by Gaaark (41) on Wednesday June 20 2018, @12:26AM (#695383) Journal

      You live in the good ol' USA USA USA, don't you!?

      In Canada, you get a good response (usually, lol)

      --
      --- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---