Skype users in US can make 911 calls from home computers

Microsoft-owned web-based calling platform Skype now lets US users dial 911 from their home computers.

The app can share their location with emergency services if needed.

The Skype emergency service calling is already available in Australia, Denmark, Finland, and the UK.

To enable 911 emergency location sharing in Skype, select your profile picture, select Settings and then Privacy.

"Turn 911 emergency location sharing on. You will need to acknowledge the Notices & Disclosures and the Special 911 Warning of Limitations & Unavailability to complete the process," Skype said in an update.

"You can disable 911 emergency location sharing at any time, but this means your address will not be shared with 911 in case of an emergency".


You may also need to allow Location sharing from your device settings.

Skype cautions that the service doesn't operate the same as a traditional phone call.

Users are encouraged to not make an emergency call through Skype when outside of their home region since the call could potentially be rerouted elsewhere.


Some other features are rolling out with Skype 8.80 update, like the ability to zoom in on a screen share during a video call.

Microsoft has also made it possible to use custom reactions on Skype for mobile devices.

You can now record voice messages that last up to 5 minutes, instead of the earlier 2-minute limit. - IANS