Google has continued its focus on “public service” projects today by announcing a new AMBER alerts project in conjunction with The National Center For Missing And Exploited Children. This comes after the company set up a “Crisis Page” for those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Google is long-known for providing such services, and this new initiative is a fantastic addition.
What will happen is that when you’re using Google Search or Maps, you’ll see an AMBER Alert if one is in your area. AMBER Alerts let you know when a child has become missing and gives you all of the specific details so that you can keep an eye out, or if you’ve already seen something. Facebook already has a system like this, which is equally great.
Here’s what Google had to say about it:
If you’re using Google Search or Maps on desktop and mobile you’ll see an AMBER Alert if you search for related information in a particular location where a child has recently been abducted and an alert was issued. You’ll also see an alert if you conduct a targeted search for the situation. By increasing the availability of these alerts through our services, we hope that more people will assist in the search for children featured in AMBER Alerts and that the rates of safe recovery will rise.
AMBER Alerts will provide information about the abducted child and any other details about the case as they become available. Additional details could include the make and model of the vehicle he/she was abducted in or information about the alleged abductor.
Here’s an example of what you’ll see from the new initiative:
The fact that this is so integrated into Google users’ daily experience is only going to help the association find these missing kids. I would actually love to see more done on the project, basically something that sends your phone alerts or texts as well. Heck, I’d even like to see these alerts in my Google+ stream. Shoot, I wouldn’t mind if these alerts showed up on Google TV, if I had one.
Google said it is also working on bringing the service to Europe and Canada, as well as scaling to more countries. When technology is used for good, everyone in the world wins.
Google provides search and advertising services, which together aim to organize and monetize the world’s information. In addition to its dominant search engine, it offers a plethora of online tools and platforms including: Gmail, Maps, YouTube, and Google+, the company’s extension into the social space. Most of its Web-based products are free, funded by Google’s highly integrated online advertising platforms AdWords and AdSense. Google promotes the idea that advertising should be highly targeted and relevant to users thus providing...
Austin, TX
Seattle, WA
San Diego, CA
Menlo Park, CA
Boston, MA
Disrupt Europe: Berlin Hackathon
Berlin, Germany
