In recent developments, Android’s “Emergency SOS” feature has faced criticism for inadvertently generating false emergency calls, prompting Google to take corrective measures.
The introduction of Emergency SOS on Android accompanied the launch of Android 12. This feature empowers Android phones, particularly Pixels, to initiate a call to local emergency services by tapping the power button five times consecutively. While a brief countdown period allows accidental activations to be canceled, the primary purpose of this feature is to enable emergency calls without requiring users to physically interact with their devices. In the case of Pixels, the feature can even commence video recording.
Although each brand may have slight variations, the core functionality remains consistent across devices. Once enabled, five power button taps initiate a call to emergency services.
Regrettably, in Scotland, the Emergency SOS feature has been linked to a surge in false alarms reported to the emergency services helpline (999). Silent calls of this nature demand approximately 20 minutes of an operator’s attention as they strive to confirm whether the calls were made in error. The National Police Chiefs Council stated:
“At present, all emergency services nationwide are experiencing an unprecedented volume of 999 calls. While there are multiple factors contributing to this surge, we believe that one significant factor is the recent updates to Android smartphones.”
Nationally, all emergency services are currently experiencing record high 999 call volumes. There’s a few reasons for this but one we think is having a significant impact is an update to Android smartphones…
📷thanks to @NYorksPolice pic.twitter.com/TbmRQgTsUe
— National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) (@PoliceChiefs) June 17, 2023
Moreover, the Council asserts that this issue has intensified following the Android 13 updates, and the European Emergency Number Association has also received reports of an increase in automatic false calls originating from Android devices.
In response to these concerns, Google has acknowledged the need for changes to the Emergency SOS functionality on Android. A spokesperson from Google confirmed that updates will be implemented “in the near future” without providing specific details regarding the modifications.
To assist device manufacturers in preventing unintentional emergency calls, Android is providing supplementary guidance and resources. It is anticipated that manufacturers will promptly release updates to address this issue. Users encountering persistent problems are advised to disable the Emergency SOS feature temporarily.
Note: The revised article condenses the original content, maintains a professional tone, and provides essential information regarding the issue and Google’s response while adhering to a shorter length.