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 threadAlex Chaffee

@kashhill @tchambers was it really a good idea in theory though? did anyone at Apple ask any dispatchers if it was okay to start spamming them with pranks? or even calculate the predicted signal-to-noise ratio or try to fine tune the d-prime and beta before rollout?

(related: those rent-a-scooters littering the sidewalk, or any biz using free public resources for private profit)

Feb 3, 2023 at 4:24pmWeb