Apple has begun to gather data from 911 call center dispatchers about erroneous calls made from skiers' iPhones that were initiated by Emergency SOS and Crash Detection.
This follows numerous fake 911 calls from skiers and snowboarders made as a result of Apple's new Crash Detection feature, according to emergency dispatch centers.
The Faulty Crash Detection Sends An Influx Of Calls To Emergency Services
Apple's latest, excessively sensitive iPhone 14 and 14 Pro models and three Apple Watch variants are already contacting 911 even for minor skiing slips.
This is despite being designed to inform authorities when their user is involved in a catastrophic accident, according to the New York Post.
Since the start of the ski season, the crash detection feature has resulted in an excessive number of unintentional automated calls from watches and phones belonging to skiers and snowboarders.
In fact, Crash Detection has resulted in a significant rise in erroneous 911 calls from nearby ski resorts in the counties of Greene in New York and Carbon in Pennsylvania.
The most recent versions of the iPhone and Apple Watch can now recognize when a serious motor accident has occurred.
Mac Rumors writes that if the user is not responsive, it can automatically call emergency personnel, but when some skiers and snowboarders fall, it also activates.
The increase in false alarms has put a strain on certain call centers and may divert staff and resources away from actual crises.
This is because emergency dispatchers react to all calls out of an excess of caution, taking emergency services from those who need it when false 911 calls are placed.
Since Apple debuted the feature last year, there have been other reports of the problem in other well-known ski resort regions like Colorado, Minnesota, Utah, and British Columbia, Canada.
Read More: iPhone 14's Car Crash Detection Still Triggers False 911 Calls, Takes Away From Real Emergencies
How Does The Apple Crash Detection Work
A representative declined to comment further, stating that Apple was gathering feedback from emergency centers that had seen an increase in automated 911 calls as a result of the function, Apple Insider reports.
All iPhone 14 models as well as the most recent Apple Watch models, such as the Series 8, Ultra, and second-generation SE, come pre-configured with crash detection.
Users have 10 seconds to take action after seeing an alert on their iPhone or Apple Watch when a crash is identified.
The device starts another 10-second countdown while sounding an alert and vibrating or tapping, and then dials emergency services if the user is not responsive.
However, some users could be unaware that the feature was activated because of noisy surroundings or bulky clothing.
According to the tech giant, the function uses "advanced Apple-designed motion algorithms" in addition to sensors like the accelerometer and gyroscope in the iPhone and Apple Watch.
Mac Rumors notes that watchOS 9.2 and iOS 16.1.2, both having undefined Crash Detection improvements for iPhone 14 models, were released by Apple in mid-December and late November, respectively.
Related Article: Apple's Crash Detection Reports Roller Coaster Rides as Accidents
