Emergency Alerts On Mobile Phones

[webbo3]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64999417

//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.

[Tuvok]

Oh dear - I’ll miss out - don’t have a mobile! Good.

[10ClarionSt]

Mine will be turned off too.

[nero2024]

why, have they discovered a volcano in the uk that could erupt any minute or a tsunami about to hit us ,not likely in the extreme,
or is there something to government is not telling us

[10ClarionSt]

As well as having the right to be insulted these days, I suppose it's because they think people also have to the right to have the sh it scared out of them. they love it. Alarmism by any other name.

[mushroom25]

// 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.

[barry1010]

We won’t be frightened to death by the test alert, we will know exactly when it will sound and why.
I think it’s a good idea.

[weecalf]

It will be change from the alscams I usually get .

[webbo3]

My worry is if then still send a noisy alert when the phone is on silent what else can they do to your phone.

[naomi24]

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.

[webbo3]

//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.//

My point exactly.

[Old_Geezer]

Sounds appalling. Managed before without this nonsense. Get enough beeps etc. from the tech as it is. Let them send a text if they must.

[Old_Geezer]

Not found any emergency alert setting anyway. Is this a BBC windup ?

[webbo3]

what phone do you have?

[Etch]

From https://www.gov.uk/alerts/how-alerts-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’."

[rowanwitch]

Oh good my elderly dumb phone is immune, my kindles are immune too. I will put off getting a smartphone til they get past the test stage.

[vulcan42]

I've just checked the emergency alert systems in other countries, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and USA. None of them require the phone owner to acknowledge the alert. It makes you wonder why the UK want to be different.

[237SJ]

The only thing I can find on my Android phone is under location and I seem to be set up for earthquake alerts but that service isn't available in the UK. It seems to be something to do with Google.

[rowanwitch]

We had a noticeable earthquake in 2002, ( Dudley fault line) and a lesser one a few years later centred on Leicester I think) and have had at least two tornadoes since I have been in the midlands, maybe I should upgrade after all

[douglas9401]

Sometimes you have to question the system by which our leaders splash public funds about the place.

HS2 will never be completed at this rate.

[Maydup]

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.