Google announced on Tuesday that it has launched its Emergency Location Service (ELS) in India.
The feature is available on compatible Android devices.
ELS allows users in distress to call or text emergency services.
These include police, healthcare professionals, and firefighters.
Once initiated, ELS shares the user’s precise location.
Uttar Pradesh became the first state to operationalise ELS in India.
The service works on Android smartphones.
It was earlier rolled out to devices running Android 6 and newer versions.
However, ELS needs state-level integration to function.
Local authorities must connect the system with emergency services.
How Google’s ELS Works
Google said ELS is now active on Android phones in India.
The service sends location data during an emergency call or SMS.
It helps responders reach users faster.
ELS gathers data from GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular networks.
Google claims it can identify a user’s location within 50 metres.
The feature activates only during emergency communication.
It does not track users otherwise.
Uttar Pradesh First to Enable ELS
In India, Uttar Pradesh is the first state to fully enable ELS.
The state police integrated the service with emergency number 112.
The integration was done with support from Pert Telecom Solutions.
The service is free of charge.
Location tracking starts only when 112 is dialled.
It stops after the emergency interaction ends.
Privacy and Technology
Google said ELS is available only to emergency responders.
The company does not receive or store location data.
The information goes directly to authorities.
ELS is powered by Android’s machine learning-based Fused Location Provider.
Google said the system has supported over 20 million emergency calls and messages globally.
This includes cases where calls dropped within seconds.
Additional Emergency Features
Google recently launched Emergency Live Video on Android.
The feature lets users share a live camera feed during emergencies.
Responders must request access first.
A prompt appears on the user’s screen.
With one tap, video sharing can begin.
The feature aims to improve real-time response accuracy.
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