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Police in Ontario asking Android users to check settings after increase in 911 calls

Peterborough County OPP arrested a city resident for impaired driving north of Peterborough on Aug. 22, 2023. The Canadian Press file

Police in Ontario are asking Android phone users to check their emergency settings after seeing an increase in 9-1-1 hang-ups.

In a tweet at around 6:50 p.m. Friday, Ontario Provincial Police said the force’s communications centres have seen a “significant increase” in 9-1-1 hang-ups.

Read more: Police warn public after 15 construction nails found at Toronto playground

“This may be linked to an Android update which turned on Emergency SOS,” the tweet read. “You could easily dial 9-1-1 without knowing.”

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Police asked Android users to “please, check your phone” to ensure emergency lines are “available for life-threatening emergencies.”

The tweet offered instructions on how to deactivate the feature.

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