Mastodawn

Kashmir Hill Feb 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.

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Matthew Hardeman

@kashhill At least at one point, I'm pretty sure it was illegal to initiate a call to the public 911 centers other than on the initiative of the user. Same reason a home alarm can't just call 911 and read off the fact that there's a burglary.