Poll: Public emergency alerts to be sent to all UK mobile phones

[Derek W]

Didn't we have this 'tech' during the COVID outbreak?

Aye they did. Everyone got a COVID text. I've also had one from the energy company when storm arwen hit and knocked some power out up here albeit I was personally affected by any cuts. So not entirely sure why some folk are heading down a dowiehole of conspiracy

 

[skipper847]

More fearmongering and in time control that just my thoughts dont need a written essay or evidence.

 

[gingergundog]

Hopefully not playing Jenga when it goes off

 

[Malevolence]

Everyone got a COVID text.

I didn't get one of those. What did it say?

 

[Derek W]

I didn't get one of those. What did it say?

Fire up your mobile number and I'll forward it on if you like

 

[iron_monkey]

Im sure it will lead to even more scam texts to catch unaware people out, my dad aand mum both nearly got caught by a covid scam alert its only the fact they both suck at technology that saved them and i saved the day

 

[StriderX]

We have absolutely minimal reason to have this be a thing.

Even the cynical thought of using it to warn about terrorist attacks doesn't make much sense to me.

 

[Minusorange]

Didn't we have this 'tech' during the COVID outbreak?

I thought you had to sign up for the Covid alerts or at least NHS have your number, I also don't remember it being an actual "Alert" where you have to acknowledge it, covid alerts were just texts weren't they ?

 

[dacads]

Uh oh..

 

[wez130]

Genuine govt alerts to mobile phones are common (well not common but actually mean something) here in NZ. I'm not sure how many earthquakes or tsunamis are likely in the UK.

Yep, we get them quite often....

 

[Werewolf]

We have absolutely minimal reason to have this be a thing.

Even the cynical thought of using it to warn about terrorist attacks doesn't make much sense to me.

Actually we have a very good reason to, Flooding.

A fairly high percentage of the population live or work in or near flood plains, and the current systems for getting warnings out tend to be slow to non existent especially if you've not opted in to the warning because you know the risk is there.
Something that can send a message to every mobile in a specific area is ideal for flooding as it is a simultaneous alarm (rather than the Floodline one that IIRC rings individual registered numbers at a set rate), doesn't require you to be registered, and is far more obvious that it's urgent than your normal ring tone.

 

[StriderX]

Actually we have a very good reason to, Flooding.

A fairly high percentage of the population live or work in or near flood plains, and the current systems for getting warnings out tend to be slow to non existent especially if you've not opted in to the warning because you know the risk is there.
Something that can send a message to every mobile in a specific area is ideal for flooding as it is a simultaneous alarm (rather than the Floodline one that IIRC rings individual registered numbers at a set rate), doesn't require you to be registered, and is far more obvious that it's urgent than your normal ring tone.

Well yes but I don't think I've ever needed a warning considering it was blatantly obvious from the huge amount of rain/high rivers. I suppose it could help a few disabled/old persons with irregular contact with people or imo unlikely though not impossible situation where they also don't watch the news.

 

[Werewolf]

Well yes but I don't think I've ever needed a warning considering it was blatantly obvious from the huge amount of rain/high rivers. I suppose it could help a few disabled/old persons with irregular contact with people or imo unlikely though not impossible situation where they also don't watch the news.

The thing there is that it's not blatantly obvious in many areas, especially if you've not lived there long enough to know when the risk is, or there has been any developments along the river, as a new housing estate or road either up or downstream can affect how much water reaches the river, and the speed, even a new bridge can raise or lower the risk.

I have a stream near me, it can go from about 10cm deep to ready to overtop the banks (a rise of about 3m) in a couple of hours if it's been raining heavily upstream but that can come several hours after it's rained, it can also happen after several days of relatively low but steady rain if the time of year is right, or it can sit at about half full for days on end before deciding to go up or down.

So unless you're paying attention to that stream every hour or so throughout the day and night it can go from "I can walk across it without getting my feet wet if I use right rocks" to "I can't step out of my house without wellies" before you know it's even started to rise.

 

[Blackjack Davy]

I'll be ok with my Huawei phone, it'll change whatever message it is to the opposite, which knowing the competency of our government will end up being the correct thing anyway.

Not to worry you'll shortly be receiving messages from the CCP instead.

Didn't we have this 'tech' during the COVID outbreak?

Yes I was going to say this is news? I remember teh covid one(s)

 

[Lopéz]

I was in Romania for 24 hours and got 3 of these - two for extreme weather (and it was fairly extreme; lightning and flash flooding) and the other was to report the abduction of a child and circulating a description of the suspect.

Can't see an issue with it really. It was quite surreal walking through Bucharest city centre and hearing everyone's phone go off at the same time though.

 

[skipper847]

I was in Romania for 24 hours and got 3 of these - two for extreme weather (and it was fairly extreme; lightning and flash flooding) and the other was to report the abduction of a child and circulating a description of the suspect.

Can't see an issue with it really. It was quite surreal walking through Bucharest city centre and hearing everyone's phone go off at the same time though.

Wait until Fake Alien invasion warning comes threw

 

[Begbie]

In the US I get 'Amber alerts' all the time (Stolen/kidnapped child normally.. nearly always a relative).

I never knew this was a thing, went off at 3am when I was in NYC. Absolute panic seeing a government warning on my phone, to tell me it was going to rain. Seen more rain during the summer here.

It'll be getting turned off if we use it like that.

 

[dlockers]

Well I'd love to step up on the box and make a political comment, or be scared that MI5 would find out I have a **** every morning at 5am, but due to living in an area prone to flooding, it is very welcome from me.

It's when it rains

 

[Hades]

I genuinely can't see a reason we need this in the UK.

 

[hartgeh3]

How to turn off emergency and government alerts on Android and iPhone

Most smartphones today, regardless of whether they’re Apple iPhones, Samsung Galaxy smartphones, or other Android devices, can receive emergency and government-issued alerts. These alerts can be quite helpful, as they can raise awareness of important things happening in your area, but they can...

www.digitalcitizen.life

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