You can find your loved ones during an emergency with Google's new app

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December 5, 2016 7:38 PM

With the press of a button, Google now lets you share your location with friends and family.

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The guys at Google Inc. have launched an app to solve another problem everyone has; finding friends and family when it really matters.

The new app, called Trusted Contacts, helps users share their locations with loved ones at the press of a button. When users download the app, they can add phone contacts as their ‘trusted contacts’. This allows you share your location with loved ones and request their location.

The app will not share your location by default, instead, you can broadcast it in real time to one or more contacts who will see it until you end the sharing.

The idea is to enable users to share their location over short but important periods of time, according to product manager, David Tattersall, such as when on a trip or taking a walk.

On the other hand, any of your trusted contacts can send a request asking you to share your location when they feel the need to know where you are; when this happens, you have two options.

You can opt to accept the request and let the app share your location. When you refuse, though, 'Trusted Contacts' shares your last known location with the contact.

This poses a lot of privacy problems. Sometimes, you just don’t want anyone to know where you are and the app defeats this. In its defence, Google says it's necessary as people are not always able to use their phone during serious emergencies, like natural disasters or car accidents.

The app is also available offline and will still be able to point users to your last known location. Basically, as long as you have a phone and the app, your family and friends can find you.

The app is only available on the Google Play Store for now. Google says a version for iOS will launch soon.

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