Kashmir HillFeb 3, 2023
Apple’s new algorithm to detect whether someone has been in a car accident is wreaking havoc for 911 call centers this ski season. Yet another example of a good idea from a technology company in theory that has problems in practice. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/03/health/apple-watch-911-emergency-call.html
Why Apple Watches Keep Calling 911

Dispatchers for 911 are being inundated with false, automated distress calls from Apple devices owned by skiers who are very much alive.

Show threadBrian

@kashhill hey, at least they’re focusing on health & safety, contributing to mankind in a positive way, even if it is a good business decision.

Other companies at Apple’s level are focused on things like world domination (Amazon), or remaking The Sims 1.0 in VR (Meta).

Journalists: when we see big tech focused on things that serve humanity, let’s be more encouraging. Even if there are wrinkles in it.

Feb 3, 2023 at 3:38pmWeb
Show threadNoah CookFeb 3, 2023

@briandesmond @kashhill Personally, I'd prefer it if multinational tech corporations stuck to being normal multinational corps just trying to sell products and make money.

I don't want a company with the GDP of a medium-sized country to decide its mission is to save the world. Or have you forgotten literally the entire first half of the 20th century?

There is no shortage of people who want to change the world. It's just that most of them have horrifying ideas.

Show threadBrianFeb 3, 2023
@UncivilServant @kashhill crash detection, how horrifying 😱
Show threadNoah CookFeb 3, 2023

@briandesmond @kashhill Tying up the emergency lines is horrifying if there's a real emergency and people cannot get through to 911, or the dispatchers are busy dealing with other calls, or they make mistakes because they're overwhelmed.

Imagine a family member has a heart attack on that mountain, and it takes forever to get a 911 operator and then convince them that no, this isn't a stupid watch malfunction, it's a real emergency.