Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Tell Siri ‘108’

The latest “craze” to have swept the social media scene by storm is also, quite possibly, the most outright idiotic, dangerous, and yet wildly popular, we think we’ve ever seen. We all know full well that Siri is capable of helping us carry out a number of tasks using just our iPhones and the sound of our voice. From pulling up turn-by-turn directions to our destination, to calculating simple math equations, or even throwing down a fresh new beat — there’s really not much Siri can’t do.

Apple has even made it easier than you might imagine to phone your local emergency services hotline — such as ‘9-1-1’ in the US, or ‘9-9-9’ in the UK. In fact, all you have to do is simply say, “Hey Siri,” followed by any given emergency service phone number on the face of the Earth and Siri will issue the call right then and there. While this feature might seem convenient, and even lifesaving, an increasing number of insensitive jokesters have been making the “trick” go viral on social media in recent weeks that has angered authorities and law enforcement officials around the country.

In a post published to the department’s official Facebook page earlier this week, the Sheriff’s office in Harris County, Texas, effectively pleaded with its followers to share the news and to stop — really, just stop — asking Siri about “108” as social media users have been encouraging their followers to “try out, for a good laugh” recently.

All iPhone Users Say 108 To Siri So She Can Tell You A Joke 😂😂

— 👸🏽ℚųɇɇȵ ℙɇȶȶƴ👸🏽 (@TheRealMsLouie) March 13, 2017

I just found out you can 3 way FaceTime now 🙌🏽 you just say "108" to Siri and then you can call two people

— Flubber Nugget (@Mondo_LOE) March 16, 2017

Whether they know it or not, though, Siri has been trained to contact the local emergency services hotline in your given region — regardless of where you live. So, for example, when these pranksters say, ask Siri about “108” they’re actually referring to the 1-0-8 emergency services hotline in India, according to CNET.

What’s more, you don’t actually have to live in India, or even be in the country, because Siri will automatically recognize the request as a plea for help, and will thusly issue a call to whatever your country’s emergency hotline is.

Unfortunately, “the prank” which an increasing number of people seem to think is so darn funny and harmless, can ultimately cause major headaches over at the emergency services call center in your home country and could even prevent vital services from being readily available to people who actually need them.

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