There is one option on our phones that can save our lives: emergency location services. This automatic function allows the security services to know where we are even without us having to manually send them the location. We explain what these services are and how to know if you have activated them.
Any mobile phone can make emergency calls just with some coverage, regardless of the carrier. These calls literally allow save the life of anyone in danger, but they also involve significant risks for the caller, especially because they may reveal that they are seeking help. Every second is vital. And knowing instantly where that person is can be the difference between getting out unharmed or ending up in the hospital. The phone takes care to minimize the risks.
Location services for emergencies, a real life saver
Most mobiles can make emergency calls even if they are not covered by the operator they are using (even if the phone does not have the SIM card inserted). These calls can be made from the telephone application: all you have to do is dial the emergency number for each country (in Europe, it is 112) for communication to be established; as long as there is a telephone tower within range of the telephone. An emergency operator will take the call and request information to assess the extent of the danger. Not only that: the mobile will automatically send the precise location if you have active emergency locator services.
The aforementioned services are of vital importance to save maximum time in dispatching relief. Thanks to the fact that the mobile automatically sends the location, emergency services they almost instantly know where the danger is
The location is sent by SMS or HTTPS. For this, the AML protocol (Advanced mobile location), a communication protocol that requires no user intervention. Created in 2014, AML is a standard for emergency location services: it is present in Europe, the United States, Mexico, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates.
When the mobile detects that the user is calling the emergency phone, it automatically activates the location services to send the precise data to the security services. This data is shared only in case of emergency and only operators can discover the call location
How to enable location services for emergencies on any Android
The automatic sending of the location to emergency services is usually active with each smartphone. Even so, it is convenient to make sure because, although it looks like we will never be in a compromised situation, having them active can be the difference between life and death.
To ensure that the rover sends the position during emergency calls, the following process should be performed:
- Go to your Android settings.
- Go to “Location”.
- Look for the “Emergency Locator Services” menu.
- Activate the option ‘Send ELS location’.
We must remember that this security option does not share the location with Google or with other companies: it is only sent to emergency services and during calls of the same type.