Google has announced the activation of its Emergency Location Service (ELS) in India, marking the first time this feature has been operationalized within the country. The rollout begins with Uttar Pradesh, where the state police have integrated the technology into their emergency response infrastructure.
Overview of Emergency Location Service (ELS)
In emergency scenarios, accurate location data is critical for first responders. However, factors such as caller distress or poor network connectivity can often hinder the communication of precise coordinates. To mitigate this, Google developed ELS for Android devices.
The feature is designed to automatically transmit enhanced location data to emergency services (such as police, fire, and medical teams) when a user contacts them via call or SMS.
Key Technical Specifications:
- Data Fusion: ELS utilizes the Android Fused Location Provider, which combines data from GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular networks to determine location.
- Precision: The system aims to provide location accuracy within a radius of 50 meters.
- Additional Data: Beyond coordinates, the service can transmit device language settings to assist responders in communicating with the caller.
- Compatibility: The service works on devices running Android version 6.0 and above.
Implementation in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh has become the first Indian state to fully adopt ELS. The implementation involves a collaboration between the Uttar Pradesh Police and Pert Telecom Solutions Pvt Ltd (PertSol).
The technology is integrated directly into the state’s 112 emergency service. According to pilot testing data released regarding the rollout:
- The system was tested over a period of several months prior to general release.
- ELS supported over 20 million calls and SMS messages during this phase.
- The technology successfully identified caller locations even in instances where the call dropped shortly after connecting.
PertSol’s routing intelligence and the UP112 command infrastructure utilize this data to dispatch the appropriate emergency resources.
Privacy and Activation Protocols
Google has outlined specific privacy protocols embedded within the ELS framework to ensure user data is handled securely:
- Event-Based Activation: ELS is not a background tracking service. It activates only when a user dials 112 or another recognized emergency number.
- Direct Transmission: Location data is sent directly from the handset to the emergency service provider.
- Data Privacy: The precise location data is not collected by or shared with Google.
- No Additional Software: The feature is built into the operating system and does not require a separate app installation. It is provided free of charge.
Currently operational in over 60 countries, ELS is expected to expand to other Indian states as local emergency infrastructure providers adopt the technology.