Google adds ability to send your location when you call emergency services

1comment
Google adds ability to send your location when you call emergency services
Google Play Services often has some of the best updates for Android users, because even if the features added aren't necessarily the best, the updates get pushed out to 99% of the Google Android world quickly and quietly in the background. The latest update could make it easier for emergency services to find you when you call.

Google said Android will automatically be able to send your location data, based on Wi-Fi, GPS, and cell tower information, to emergency services when you call. Google also confirmed that this location data would never be seen by Google or anyone else. The one issue is that the feature needs to be supported by carriers in order to work and the initial group of carrier support comes from Europe, specifically with carriers in the UK and Estonia, where Emergency Location Service is supported. 

There's no word on the U.S. where the technology is called Enhanced 911 (E911). All of the major U.S. carriers support E911 (though some charge for it), but the bigger hurdle in the U.S. is that emergency service call centers haven't been upgraded in many areas to be able to handle location information.

We'll keep an eye on it and update when we know more. 

Recommended Stories

Loading Comments...
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless