India's Department of Telecom has expanded its panic button legislation by tasking mobile device manufacturers with developing software patches adding the functionality to existing phones.
Device makers have also been asked to arrange for installation of the patches at retail outlets, the Economic Timesreported. The order does not specify a timeline for compliance.
The patches will provide similar functionality to the panic button thatall new handsets sold in India will have to include from next year, which will provide single-button access to emergency services hotlines.
India is in the process of introducing a single nationwide emergency telephone number, 112, that will replace the separate numbers for police, fire and ambulance services. The panic button will provide direct access to this hotline.
As part of the order, devices sold from 2018 will also have to include satellite-based GPS to allow emergency services personnel to identify a caller's location.