Apple’s iPhone 14 and 14 Pro models, as well as the Apple Watch’s Crash Detection feature, have continued to send false alarms from skiers, as it now dials 911 even for inconsequential skiing errors.
Skiers’ Apple devices in the state sent automatic crash alerts to dispatchers at the Summit County 911 Center, which saw a 22 percent increase in outages, open lines and misdialed 911 calls last December compared to December 2021. New York Post.
“We’re still dealing with a 15-25 percent increase in calls (compared to last year), which could very well come from … Apple-powered and automated emergency notifications,” county 911 communications director Jim Diperna. was quoted as saying.
What’s more, the report said, when an automated call comes in, dispatchers will try to get someone on the phone to confirm there isn’t an actual emergency.
According to DiPerna, if the owner is unaware that their phone is dialing 911, officers will take steps such as tracking the location of the Apple device and sharing it with the ski patrol.
“In the worst case scenario, we’re trying to figure out where you are, what went wrong and what resources we need to send to take care of it. It can go from a 30-second phone call to God knows how long,” he said.
The report further noted that Apple is in contact with 911 call centers that are currently experiencing an increase in automated 911 calls as a result of the crash detection feature and is gathering feedback.
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