New IPhone Feature Sparks False Alarm In Boundary Waters

If you've got an iPhone, you need to know about the new emergency text message satellite feature. It is being identified as the culprit on a wild goose chase that sent volunteers deep into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area is a remote wilderness in Northern Minnesota. Cell service is rarely available, and that's a big draw of being out in the wild. You can really disconnect from the rest of the world and enjoy Minnesota's wonderful beauty.

However, new technology makes it easier to connect in the case of an emergency, and I think most of us agree that it's a good thing. In this particular case, it did cause a stir.

According to Northern News Now, a search and rescue team went out at noon on August 27th after receiving a 911 text from someone in the BWCA. The emergency was described as a person on fire.

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The rescue team responded to the area of Seagull Lake. They didn't find anyone in distress or on fire. They determined that it was a false alarm and say it was caused by the satellite technology sending a false alert.

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Newer versions of the Apple iPhone offer an SOS emergency satellite mode where you can use satellites to relay your messages. It's available on Apple 14 and newer models.

You can turn off the feature on your Apple phone in the settings menu. In instances like this, some users may not even know the technology exists.