iOS 7 replaces 911 calls from iPhone with Siri

With the release of iOS 7, Apple confirms that when dialing 911 from an iPhone capable of Siri your call will now be directed to Siri. Siri will ask you a couple of basic questions to make sure you actually need emergency care and, if you do you, will receive the proper resources.

“Apple has put allot of research and prep work into this one.” An apple spokes person is quoted as saying. “Since a majority of 911 calls are made through an iPhone device, we have been able to listen in and base all of Siri’s questions off of those calls.” We at Call the Cops asked if this type of covert listening-in on 911calls would be a violation of HIPAA laws.

Background of apples new 911 feature when you contact EMS.

Background of apples new 911 feature when you contact EMS.

The spokes person pulled out the standard e911 contract that all subscribers have to agree to. There imbedded deep in the contract is the written permission giving Apple the ability to record and keep on record any emergency call made from an iPhone. “Every person that has an Apple iPhone, no matter what service they are on, signs one of these contracts. It’s part of the agreement they have with their service provider.”

Digging deeper into the contract we have found that not only does this sheet of paper give Apple permission to use the 911 calls, but also gives the service provider equal use of the same data. Contacting T-mobile gave us this response:

“This advanced technology gives our users a specific advantage over any other smartphone user. We have kept this information safe from outside users and only top level executives have access to this info. As of yet we have not used is information but are storing it for future reference.”

Sprint and Verizon did not immediately return our calls.

AT&T sent us an email stating:

“Due to HIPAA laws regarding the privacy of persons covered under such laws, we will not give out any information in relation to what we do, sell or keep, with regards to the data in question.”

So what happens when you dial 911 on a iPhone? We set up a mock 911 call with Apple and the city of Cupertino to see what we would get.

Here is a run down:

911 is inputed into the call matrix.

Siri recognizes the emergency call attempt and “intervenes”.

A first round of questions are asked, like,
“I see you trying to call 911, do you need an Ambulance, Fire Truck or Police unit today?”

Depending on the answer, Siri will ask a series of follow up questions. We opted to call an Ambulance this time. Our answers are below each question.
“Are you bleeding or choking?”
No
“Do you think you are having a heart attack?”
No
“Are you having a mental breakdown?”
No
“Have you had a seizure or think you might have one soon?”
No
“Have you been having any nausea or vomiting?”
Yes

With this answer Apple spokes person tells us we have entered a round 2 of medical questions.
“Have you eaten anything that would cause this?”
Yes
“Please state what you have eaten followed by the time it was ingested.”
Yesterday we ate a two day old Big Mac.
“Thank you. We are sending an ambulance to your location of (deleted due to HIPPA laws) for nausea and vomiting due to eating a two day old Big Mac. While you are waiting we are going to ask some background questions to help our EMS unit treat you better. Are you ready for the back ground questions?”

Siri asks us a round of background information including any past medical history and medications that we may be on. Along with an ample amount of questions about our current condition and our name.

When the EMS unit arrives the paramedic on board shows us the ePCR that was generated by Siri and sent to the responding unit. It has all of our information and really all theEMS unit has to do is treat what Siri tells them is wrong, then transport to the hospital if needed.

We asked if this is taking the skill out of the paramedics hands. I mean what if Siri gets it wrong?”Siri is never wrong, and we feel this enhances the skills of the ambulance drivers and can give them some advanced warning,while letting them know what they are about to get into at the scene, before they even arrive.” Says the Apple Spokesperson.

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