A major telecommunications giant is doing its part to ensure the safety of customers

Australia’s second biggest telco, Optus has launched a new feature called Sidekick which help customers to feel safer and reassured when they are making their way home, out on a walk by themselves or just at home on their own.

The new Optus feature will allow Optus customers to choose up to three close and most trusted contacts to check in on them whether they’re home alone, walking alone or making their way home on their own.

How it works:

You select your three contacts, you set a timer to cover the amount of time for your walk, your commute home or anything else you want – and if you don’t stop this timer before it runs out your contacts will receive a notification.

Users can cancel the timer at any time when they’re feeling comfortable or when you get a reminder to stop it.

“Many of us can identify with that feeling of wanting someone to check in with us in a little while to make sure we are okay, even if we can’t exactly pinpoint why we feel that way.

“It may feel awkward to ask someone for that extra assurance.

“Optus Sidekick can help you prearrange a time when Optus will let the people you care about know you want them to check in on you, and only gets in touch if that time arises.

“We have also discovered that it’s not just women who may want to use Optus Sidekick, but also kids walking home from school, people out for a late-night walk, and even an elderly neighbour who walks to the store alone.”

Customers can set up the Optus Sidekick with a simple tap in their My Optus App.