After the devastating 7.8 magnitude Nepal earthquake, social networks like Facebook and Google began to roll out services to help users within the affected area reach out to their families and friends.
Following the news of the tragedy went online, Facebook immediately activated its Safety Check tool. This tool allows users who live within the affected area to let their family knows of their current status and whereabouts. The service was launched in 2011 after the earthquake and tsunami incident that hit Japan.
Facebook Safety Check tool works by sending notification to those who are within the affected area asking about their status. Facebook determine the user's location using the city they listed on their profile page and through the Internet connection that they are using.
Users who received the Safety Check notification have the option to tag their profile as safe. Facebook has also dedicated a special page for people to check if some of their friends are within the location of the earthquake, according to Seattle Pi.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg used his Facebook page to extend his sympathies to those affected by the earthquake saying, "When disasters happen, people need to know their loved ones are safe. My thoughts are with everyone who's been caught up in this tragedy."
Google on the other hand has a similar tracker tool called Person Finder. The tool functions as a database for missing persons. It was launched in 2010 and has already proved its worth through many natural disasters, according to CNBC.
Not to be left behind, Apple also rolled out its own relief effort. Users of iTunes were given links that redirects them to a donation link for the American Red Cross.