Google has launched its Emergency Location Service (ELS) for Android smartphones in India, allowing users to share their precise location during emergencies. Compatible with devices running Android 6.0 and later, the service helps police, medical teams, and firefighters locate users accurately via GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular data. Uttar Pradesh is the first state to integrate ELS with its emergency number 112, enabling authorities to track callers in real time. ELS operates only during emergency calls and ensures privacy by sending location data directly to responders without storing it on Google servers. The system has already assisted over 20 million calls and messages, even if a call is briefly connected. ELS uses Google’s Android Fused Location Provider with machine learning to enhance location accuracy up to 50 meters.
In addition, Google recently added Emergency Live Video, allowing responders to request a live camera feed from users during emergencies. Users can grant access with a single tap, providing visual context to aid in quicker assistance. The feature is free of charge and reinforces safety measures across India for Android users.
