iPhones to soon automatically share your location with 911
San Francisco, June 19 : iPhone users in the US who call 911 will be able to automatically and securely share their location data with first emergency responders, beginning later this year with iOS 12.
"Communities rely on 911 centres in an emergency, and we believe they should have the best available technology at their disposal," Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, said in a statement late on Monday.
"When every moment counts, these tools will help first responders reach our customers when they most need assistance," he added.
Nearly 80 per cent of 911 calls come from mobile devices but outdated, landline-era infrastructure often makes it difficult for 911 centres to quickly and accurately obtain a mobile caller's location.
To address this challenge, Apple launched HELO (Hybridised Emergency Location) in 2015, which estimates a mobile 911 caller's location using cell towers and on-device data sources like GPS and WiFi Access Points.
According to Apple, it will also use emergency technology company RapidSOS's Internet Protocol-based data pipeline to quickly and securely share HELO location data with 911 centers, improving response time when lives and property are at risk.
RapidSOS's system will deliver the emergency location data of iOS users by integrating with many 911 centers' existing software, which rely on industry-standard protocols.
In keeping with Apple's focus on privacy, user data cannot be used for any non-emergency purpose and only the responding 911 centre will have access to the user's location during an emergency call.
"We are excited to work with Apple to provide first responders a new path for accurate, device-based caller location using transformative Next Generation 911 technology," said RapidSOS CEO Michael Martin.
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DK Shivakumar files petition in Karnataka HC challenging FIR against him
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka DK Shivakumar has approached the Karnataka High Court challenging the FIR filed against him at the RMC Yard Police Station in the city based on a complaint by a BJP member that he has been luring and threatening people to vote in favour of the Congress in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
The BJP had complained to the police that Shivakumar, while campaigning at an apartment at Rajarajeshwari Nagar on behalf of DK Suresh, the Congress candidate from Bangalore Rural constituency, had not only threatened the voters but had also blackmailed them in order to gain their votes for the Congress. A video clip, allegedly of Shivakumar, who is the President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), speaking harshly to the voters, had also been shared on social media platforms.
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The BJP had also complained to the Election Commission regarding the matter. In addition, a case had been filed earlier against Shivakumar on charges of graft and use of influence during elections.
RMC Yard Police booked an FIR against the Deputy CM on Saturday based on the complaint and the officers are investigating the case.
The KPCC President has filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court seeking a quashing of the case against him.
