Skype Now Allows You To Dial 911 From A Computer, Share Your Location

Users of Skype can now contact emergency services from its mobile and desktop apps, as well as its web-based service.

According to Digital Trends, this is the first time users will be able to dial 911 on Skype since its inception 18 years ago. It posits that the feature could prove useful to those stuck in a situation without a phone or landline, but have access to a computer and the internet.

Additionally, Skype will provide emergency responders with precise location data, so users who require assistance can be found more easily.

This may come in handy if someone isn’t quite sure where they are, and is a lot faster than narrating the address to the operator on the line. However, users have to enable the location access manually on either the computer or smartphone.

As reported by Windows Central, the feature will be available on desktop in the US, Australia, Denmark, Finland, and the UK with the countries’ respective emergency numbers.

Check here for the full list of countries that can access the service via its mobile app. 

[via Digital Trends and Windows Central, cover image via Vadymvdrobot | Dreamstime.com]