In a way, this button will be a means of making a phone (emergency call) in case of emergency. In basic phones, it will be integrated into number 5 or 9. Holding down on the emergency number will turn on the panic button. At present, it is not clear to which agency of the government this alert will go. It is possible that the government may tie it to a single emergency number, 112, as with 911 in the US.
As of today, users can download Delhi Police’s Himmat app and CanvasM on smartphones. They can be used in case of crisis. But the government says that in case of emergency, it can take a long time to launch an app. Now according to the new law, “Panic Alert [5 या 9] Long press on the number should activate it. Or by pressing the power on or off button three times in succession.”
Not only this, GPS navigation system has also been made mandatory in all phones from January 1, 2018. With this, the location of the user can be easily traced. This can also affect the cost of the phone.
It is not clear from the notification issued by the government that on hitting the panic button, to whom the phone call will go automatically. And what kind of information will be included in this call.
Notably, travel apps like Uber and Ola in India are the first to come with panic buttons. Pressing the panic button in the Uber app automatically triggers a phone call to local police. Along with this, the GPS location of the cab, identity and phone number of the passenger and driver are shared with the police.
Now all phone makers, including Apple and Samsung, will have to make some changes in the software for the panic button to keep the new requirements in mind.
Apple will easily make this feature a part of its mobile by changing the software. But it is difficult for Android users. Because in today’s date, there are many companies making phones based on Android.
Another question is whether the launch of some phones in India will not be delayed due to this feature. Actually, before introducing many smartphones in the Indian market, they are launched in China or America. Now adding a separate panic button in the Indian variant of the phone can be annoying. It is possible that due to this there is a delay in introducing the phone in India.