iPhones to automatically share emergency location with 911 calls in iOS 12

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Starting later this year with iOS 12, iPhone users making emergency 911 calls will be able to automatically share their location with first responders. By using Apple’s Hybridized Emergency Location (HELO) system and RapidSOS’s Internet Protocol system, iPhones will integrate with existing 911 center software to share the iPhone’s location during emergency 911 calls.

With iOS 12, iPhone users who call 911 will be able to automatically and securely share their location to help reduce emergency response times. Photo: Apple

According to Tim Cook, “Communities rely on 911 centers in an emergency, and we believe they should have the best available technology at their disposal. When every moment counts, these tools will help first responders reach our customers when they most need assistance.”

Addressing privacy concerns, user location data cannot be used outside of an emergency 911 call, and only the responding 911 center will have access to an iPhone’s location.

For more information, see Apple’s press release.

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