ChatterBank2 mins ago
Emergency Alerts On Mobile Phones
https:/ /www.bb c.co.uk /news/u k-64999 417
//A siren-like alert will be sent to mobile phone users across the UK next month to test a new government public warning system.//
//Phone users will have to acknowledge the alert before they can use other features on their devices.//
//A message will appear on the home screens of people's devices during the test, with vibration and a loud warning sound that will ring for about 10 seconds, even if the phone is set to silent.//
//People can opt out by searching their device settings for emergency alerts and then turning off severe and extreme ones. Officials say the alerts could be life-saving, though, advising against switching them off.//
Anyone turning the alerts off, I am.
//A siren-like alert will be sent to mobile phone users across the UK next month to test a new government public warning system.//
//Phone users will have to acknowledge the alert before they can use other features on their devices.//
//A message will appear on the home screens of people's devices during the test, with vibration and a loud warning sound that will ring for about 10 seconds, even if the phone is set to silent.//
//People can opt out by searching their device settings for emergency alerts and then turning off severe and extreme ones. Officials say the alerts could be life-saving, though, advising against switching them off.//
Anyone turning the alerts off, I am.
Answers
Alerts? Hmm ... maybe... but that I can't use my phone unless I acknowledge them ... I think not. That's intrusive and that I do not like.
12:02 Sun 19th Mar 2023
// why, //
just following the lead of similar systems already in use in 19 countries, including Japan, Canada, New Zealand and the US, where the alerts have been credited with saving lives. only the government and the emergency services can send the alerts, typically to alert to severe weather, flooding, fires, COMAH events (such as that at Buncefield a few years ago), major utility outages, and the like. they will not be used for news briefings or public information.
just following the lead of similar systems already in use in 19 countries, including Japan, Canada, New Zealand and the US, where the alerts have been credited with saving lives. only the government and the emergency services can send the alerts, typically to alert to severe weather, flooding, fires, COMAH events (such as that at Buncefield a few years ago), major utility outages, and the like. they will not be used for news briefings or public information.
From https:/ /www.go v.uk/al erts/ho w-alert s-work :
"You will not receive alerts if your device is:
- turned off or in airplane mode
- connected to a 2G or 3G network
- wifi only
- not compatible"
and
"Emergency alerts work on:
- iPhones running iOS 14.5 or later
- Android phones and tablets running Android 11 or later
If you have an earlier version of Android, you may still be able to receive alerts. To check, search your device settings for ‘emergency alerts’."
"You will not receive alerts if your device is:
- turned off or in airplane mode
- connected to a 2G or 3G network
- wifi only
- not compatible"
and
"Emergency alerts work on:
- iPhones running iOS 14.5 or later
- Android phones and tablets running Android 11 or later
If you have an earlier version of Android, you may still be able to receive alerts. To check, search your device settings for ‘emergency alerts’."
It’s all a bit alarmist. For those of us with smart phones we tend to check them quite regularly so we could pick up news of a disaster or serious threat my some other style of messaging.
Those without will hear via word or mouth, radio, TV and other channels as always.
I think it will cause panic. Imagine we’re all on a full bus, in a busy shop or in the middle of a conference. Everyone’s phones scream their alarm at the same time. What happens next?
Do we evacuate, look at our phones? I imagine panic for sure with no one ready and rehearsed to manage the situation.
Those without will hear via word or mouth, radio, TV and other channels as always.
I think it will cause panic. Imagine we’re all on a full bus, in a busy shop or in the middle of a conference. Everyone’s phones scream their alarm at the same time. What happens next?
Do we evacuate, look at our phones? I imagine panic for sure with no one ready and rehearsed to manage the situation.
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