Among Siri's various skills is one designed to save lives, but police are now warning of pranksters trying to trick people into activating it.
Saying "Hey Siri, 108," will prompt Siri to contact emergency services. The number 108 is India's equivalent of 911 in the United States, but Siri will contact the local emergency dispatch based on the iPhone's location.
Tweets like these prompted police departments across the country to warn about the prank in an effort to keep from further tying up the 911 operators people rely on in an emergency:
After hearing "108," Siri will start a five-second countdown during which the call can be canceled. Others are trying to trick people into not looking at their phones until it is too late:
What may seem like a harmless prank to some could have potentially deadly consequences, police warn. Two recent deaths in Texas have been tied to scores of hang up-calls that overwhelmed the 911 system, leaving callers on hold, according to the Dallas News.
In an effort to spread awareness, police departments in cities across the country are now posting warnings to Facebook:
