Android users can now share live video with emergency services—Know how it works

Google Emergency Live Video Feature: In an emergency-like situation, every second counts and keeping this in mind, Google has introduced the Emergency Live Video feature on Android devices. This new feature will allow users to share live video with dispatchers during emergencies.

Whether it's a car accident, a medical emergency, or a rapidly moving wildfire, it's often difficult to accurately describe what's actually happening, especially when you're stressed or in danger. With this new feature, according to Google, emergency services will be able to see the situation as it happens, helping them provide the right assistance more quickly.

How does the Emergency Live Video feature work?

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Emergency Live Video is designed to be simple, secure, with no setup required and completely under the user's control. During an emergency call or text, if a responder determines that it would be helpful to view the scene and it is safe to do so, they can send a request to your device. The user will see a prompt on their screen, and with a single tap they will be able to choose to start securely sharing your camera's live video. According to Google's blog post, the feature is "encrypted by default, and you are always in control of whether your video is shared, and can stop sharing instantly at any time."

This real-time view can also help dispatchers to guide users through life-saving steps like CPR until help arrives, it added.

Android Emergency Live Video builds on Google’s suite of emergency tools like Emergency Location Service, Car Crash and Fall Detection, and Satellite SOS. It is available in the US starting today, with additional rollouts planned for parts of Germany and Mexico. Currently, the feature is supported on Android devices running Android 8 or higher with Google Play services.

Google said it is closely working with public safety organisations around the world to expand the availability of this feature.