Impossible to employ Panic buttons on existing devices: report

Mumbai: A recent report has revealed that handset makers catering to India have explained that it won’t be possible to employ panic buttons on existing devices but ensured all new phones will equip the feature by January 2017—the deadline set by the Telecom department for the same.

Several media reports pointed out that the president of the Indian Cellular Association (ICA) Pankaj Mohindroo, on behalf of manufacturers such as Apple, Samsung, Micromax, and Intex, said that it is impossible to incorporate panic buttons on existing devices.

Though the industry supports all efforts to ensure maximum safety for women, Mohindroo claimed that the telecom department had only ‘requested’ the manufacturers to install a panic button in existing phones. He also pointed out that no clear directive was issued.

Earlier the Department of Telecommunication (DOT) had asked handset manufacturers to develop and install a software patch that would enable panic button support but did not give any timeline. However, handset manufacturing industry was astonished at the order due to the large number of existing smartphone in circulation.

Other than that, the DOT had also notified that distress calls will be connected to the all-inclusive emergency number 112 but testing of the service can commence with the present emergency number 100.

The DOT had also mentioned that calls or distress alerts to the emergency number should be free of charge, provided there is a SIM card inserted.

With the inception of this new feature, the government wants to bolster security for women, citing the heinous crimes against women that are on the rise.