Why would you willingly and openly broadcast your location at any point in time, no matter where you are? Privacy hawks would balk at some people’s answer: for safety’s sake.

And that’s where Google comes in with its new Android application called Trusted Contacts. It’s an app that lets you label people in your contacts list that you choose as “trusted.” They will be able to see if you’re online and if you have moved.

They can also request to see where you are. If you cannot respond with a five minute timeframe, your latest geolocation — whether you’re online or off — will automatically be shared. If you’re able to, you can also choose to stop sending your location.

Google envisions people using this app in situations of personal caution like walking home late at night or getting a search party to look for someone. Perhaps this app can also prove itself worthy in times of social danger — heaven forbid that the next act of terrorism or natural disaster happen while you’re around.

Of course, all of this only works if the people you want to be in contact with also have Trusted Contacts installed. iOS users will have to wait a bit longer before this app comes along.

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