Can 911 track your phone?

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asked Nov 26, 2021 in Law Enforcement/Police by pompamompa (740 points)
Can 911 track your phone?

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answered Nov 26, 2021 by Jamie (68,360 points)
911 can sometimes track your phone especially if it's a landline phone.

If it's a landline phone then the 911 operators can usually pinpoint and locate where the phone call is actually coming from.

However with cellphones it can be harder for the 911 operator to track the cellphones location but they will try to track it.

When an emergency arises, most cell phone owners aren't aware that even though your phone has GPS, 911 operators are often unable to determine the exact location of your call, even when inside your own home.

Most people expect for 911 call centers to be able to track your location, but it doesn't quite work that way.

Wireless carriers provide a signal to EMS that determines your location.

911 call centers rely on wireless companies to provide your location, if you can't.

Rules issued by the Federal Communications Commission in 2015 require wireless telecom companies to provide a "dispatchable location" (a physical address including information such as floor, suite or apartment) to 911 call centers within 30 seconds, regardless of indoor or outdoor location.

Because the phone reports its location based on GPS positioning, wireless carriers can relay a relatively precise location for the phone to emergency response teams, police and other government officials.

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