Apple to Violate Customer Privacy Only During Emergencies by Sharing Exact User Location

Apple has been proudly proclaiming that, unlike other tech giants such as Google or Facebook, it isn’t violating user privacy to conduct business. However, a recent announcement proves that it’s perfectly capable of doing so. Apparently, once iOS 12 arrives, Apple will be able to share a user’s exact location. The good news is that it will only do so in emergency situations such as during a 911 call.

As CNBC notes, Apple created an efficient means of detecting a person’s exact location in 2015 called the “Hybridized Emergency Location (HELO).” Basically, if a user calls 911, this technology will use cell towers, Wi-Fi access points, and other connective mediums to pinpoint their exact location.

With the upcoming iOS 12 update, Apple worked with a startup called RapidSOS to improve this technology further. Now, a user’s location will be shared immediately in the event of a 911 call despite the service’s aging infrastructure.

In an effort to make sure that there are no misunderstandings with regards to its intentions, Apple stressed that this feature will be activated only during emergencies. It reportedly cannot be used for any purposes that do not constitute an emergency. What’s more, only the 911 center will have access to the user’s location, which could prove helpful in saving lives.

Apple announced the new development on Monday, during the National Emergency Number Association (NEMA) event, which was held in Nashville, CNN reports. During the conference, both companies noted how important it is to know where a caller is when they contact 911. This is particularly noteworthy due to the age of the emergency infrastructure, as former FCC chairman Tom Wheeler pointed out.

"The 911 system is literally 50 years old this year. It has not made the evolution into the digital era," Wheeler said.

What Apple and RapidSOS are doing is essentially providing the aging service with a crutch so that it can continue doing its job. This is helpful, but it would be even better if the 911 system starts catching up to modern technology.