Re: E911 and appliances

Adam Shostack wrote:
>
> On Fri, Aug 17, 2001 at 11:47:42AM -0700, Henning Schulzrinne wrote:
> > In terms of the discussion here, I suspect that we'll see more choices
> > as to how locations are being reported. However, given that people
> > dialing 911 are often not exactly in the clearest state of mind, I have
> > a hard time picturing a device that requires a user to make detailed
> > choices in a scroll-down menu as to the location accuracy while the
> > house is on fire.
>
> In terms of interface, I would see as reasonable a menu choice to
> not reveal information, which after 30 seconds or so (and perhaps a
> voice prompt), would default to revealing exact location. That allows
> for informed choice without comprimising safety.

Yes, good idea, but that's a user interface issue, not a protocol issue
(as long as the information is available locally on the end system). As
far as I know, user interfaces aren't specified by the IETF. We can (and
should) say that user interfaces should be designed to allow such
choices, but I don't expect this to have much effect beyond making us
feel good about having protected privacy. Look how much effect the
warnings in the MIME spec about asking users about executable content
have had.

>
> I can clearly see cases in which I want to summon emergency services
> without revealing that I'm the one doing so. For example, if I'm in
> Amsterdam's red light district, I may want privacy, and be able to
> report a street address.

Yes, that's clearly a useful feature. Note, however, that reporting
caller identity is not only used for speeding responses, but also to
discourage prank 911 calls or, more sinister, to use 911 to lure law
enforcement into a trap. Rumor has it, for example, that the NYPD is
very careful about following 911 calls from payphones in certain areas,
as these have been used to get officers ambushed. Thus, as usual, there
are multiple conflicting and legitimate objectives. Weighing such
trade-offs is done by politicians, not IETF standards, as these are not
technical issues. At best, we can provide the means to make good choices
easier.

>
> Adam
>
> --
> "It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once."
> -Hume
Received on Sat Aug 18 00:59:28 2001