UK police blame Android SOS feature for influx of false emergency calls
have reported receiving a higher number of silent or abandoned calls since an Android update released between October 2022 and February 2023 introduced an Emergency SOS calling feature to more Android phones. Thereports that each errant call can take around 20 minutes to deal with as operators ensure it wasn’t made by someone who is otherwise unable to verbally communicate an emergency situation.
The SOS feature allows Android users to quickly contact emergency services by pressing their device’s power button multiple times. The action is easy to perform accidentally, however, resulting in a deluge of “butt dialed” false emergencies.noting that users can disable the Android feature to lessen the burden on emergency responders. “Calls to 999 where the operator cannot hear anyone on the line are never just ignored. Call handlers will then need to spend valuable time trying to call you back to check whether you need help,” the account
on June 17th. “If you do accidentally dial 999, please don’t hang up. If possible, please stay on the line and let the operator know it was an accident and that you don’t need any assistance.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Dear Annie: My mother enjoys making me the butt of her jokes... she just dismisses me as being “too sensitive.” I’m borderline ready to just cut her off
Read more »
iPhone's SOS feature saves woman who injured ankle during hike in TujungaA woman who suffered an injury while hiking in Tujunga thought she was out of luck when her phone lost reception. Thankfully, her iPhone has a feature that saved her life.
Read more »
New satellite SOS feature on iPhone 14 saves Tujunga hiker without cell serviceA new and innovative satellite SOS feature on the iPhone 14 is allowing L.A. County first responders to rescue hikers who need help in remote areas of the wilderness.
Read more »
Dingo bites tourist, Zuckerberg-Musk cage match, Florida 'meth island': This week's unusual headlinesCheck out these stories about a dingo biting a tourist's butt, a 'meth island' in Florida complete with a welcome center and trampoline, and a Las Vegas family reporting a crashed UFO.
Read more »
Australian bush fires to blame for years-long La Niña affecting U.S.Australian bush fires in 2019 and 2020 helped produce a rare multiyear La Niña event half a world away. Researchers say the far-off wildfires contributed to an unusual streak of La Niña winters in the United States.
Read more »