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 threadBill the Galactic Hero
@kashhill I slept on my Apple Watch and it triggered the call emergency services feature. I woke to the voice of the 911 dispatcher asking me if I had a problem. Took a moment to be coherent enough to keep them from dispatching someone. Changed the settings the next day to require to separate actions to trigger. That won’t be as good in an actual emergency, but I already have enough trouble sleeping without worrying if I’m laying on the side button.
Feb 3, 2023 at 8:41pmWeb
Show threadBill the Galactic HeroFeb 3, 2023
@kashhill ^typo “two separate actions”