From January 2017, it will be mandatory for all mobile phones manufacturers to configure a panic button on their phones to be sold in India. All phones will also compulsorily need to have the GPS facility.
The alert will be activated when a person in an emergency presses key "5"or key "9" on a feature phone. On a smartphone, the government order requires a special panic button or the existing power button to be configured to work as panic button.
The government has also asked the smartphone companies to open at least 10,000 centres across the country to let mobile phone users upgrade their phones to add the button.
112 is the common emergency telephone number that can be dialled free of charge in many countries. India plans to launch this facility soon. USA has 911 as the emergency number.
Meanwhile, here are some ways you can use your smartphone as a panic button till January 2017:
1. Uber has already introduced a panic button in its ride-hailing app that allows riders to notify the police in case of an emergency, and a 'safety net' feature that will allow users to share trip details and their location with as many as five other people. This feature was specially introduced in India.
2. Eye-on-me app (Android | iOS) : This app helps you to pre-select the contacts on your phone who will be able to track you on any journey if you do not feel safe. It also receives confirmation from the chosen contact to let you know that they are actively following you.
Another feature this app has is that if you are under an attack then tapping a button or just shaking the phone hard will automatically send your location and an alert message to the chosen contact for help.
Also, the follow-me map pin will change colour to indicate that you need help. It also leaves a message for help on social media.
When the situation settles down, it alerts the chosen people that you are safe.
3. bSafe app (Android | iOS): It comes with an option to invite any of the pre-selected friends to walk you home with the help of live GPS trace.
You can set an alarm which will trigger if you do not reach a destination in the estimated time. An option of 'I'm Here' will help notify your selected friends that you reached safely.
In case of an attack, the Guardian Alert button will notify your friends and family members with your location and also a live video stream along with a siren.
The above features are for when you are not safe. But, bSafe can also help you get a fake call if you need to get out of a situation. You can even define who the call should be from.
4. ICE : In Case of Emergency app (Android | iOS) : This app has a special feature: it can be accessed by Hospital staff and emergency services even when the phone is locked to inform someone from your contacts.
The app will automatically get updated with the local police and fire and ambulance contacts.
Another feature is an SOS message that will be sent to your emergency contact which will also include your GPS coordinates.
5. Watch Over Meapp (Android | iOS): This app works by setting your safety timer for long it should track your location vis GPS. If you fail to check in on time then the emergency contacts will be alerted via email, Facebook or SMS.
You can save your everyday locations such as 'Home' or ' office' which will be marked as safe areas in the app.
If you enter an area which is flagged as 'high crime area' on the app, you will be notified. Again this app also gives an option to shake you phone hard if in trouble to turn on the phone camera.
