Emergency Alert!

I read about this, this morning and I believe that after the initial one, you will be able to turn off these notifications in the phone settings. Not sure how true this information is though.

I read the same as Auntieflo. I imagine the directive would go to the mobile phone companies who would then forward on to all their customers. Your phone can be tracked, you yourself can use the "find my phone" unless you have an older one, track & trace, cookies & tracking on the internet, camera's and facial recognition. The realties of the modern world whether we like it or not.

Where did you find about this? It seems very unlikely.

I'm dead then as I haven't got a mobile phone! What a farce.

Germanshepherdsmum

Where did you find about this? It seems very unlikely.

It is a true thing, reported on Sky New and The Guardian.

Here's the link to the Gov.uk site, it IS happening on Sunday April 23rd.

www.gov.uk/government/news/launch-of-life-saving-public-emergency-alerts

Apparently we are one of the few countries (UK) that doesn't already have a mobile phone alarm system in place.

On Mumsnet quite a few posters have reported that this is the norm in their Country.
One poster from the US says it quite interesting, when everyones phone goes off at once in the grocery store.

i think it is a good thing.
i welcome it.

It does have some elements of intrusiveness. On the other hand, if you live in a flood risk area, it could be really useful and a lifesaver. Being warned of a major fire or similar danger is useful too. Better to use modern technology than Second World War air raid sirens!

However, the place I'm going to that evening - so I've been told - has no mobile signal. I wonder what will happen in those circumstances

Be interesting for those that go to an evening church service😲

Doesn't really bother me, think it's a good thing.
I was in New York a few years ago and my phone picked up an Alert for a missing Child.

If all goes to plan, DH and I will be cruising on that evening between Honfleur and La Rochelle! I wonder if it will reach me in the Bay of Biscay?!

Like Welbeck and Visgirl I think it is a good idea.

I too think it is a good idea.

there are so few police stations now, so doubt if there are many working aid raid sirens anyway.
i got alerts about local covid outbreaks etc during pandemic.
it is a good way of reaching most of the population in an emergency.

It seems to now be widely reported, so is not looking like a scam, which was my first thought. Don't see a problem with it, as it seems that after the initial message you can actually opt out in your Smartphone settings if you wish. So no long term invasion of privacy, I guess. Who knows, it may even prove useful. Wonder what it's costing the taxpayer...

With extreme weather conditions becoming more common every year this seems like a good idea.

Seems like a good use of tech to me.
If Putin goes nuclear we can be prepared to hide under the table.🤪

Your phone will receive a text message on April 23rd.
If it’s concerning you switch it off.

Already used in the USA for tornado etc warnings. I’ve no problem with it.

Those who have the knowledge - like GCHQ can track you now and even listen in your conversations, the whole phone spectrum is scanned for terrorism trigger words.

So if any of us are planning mischief, throw away your mobiles and computers

I’d like to think that it’s a good idea, but I’m deeply cynical.
I would not want the current government any where near any possession of mine.
I wouldn’t be surprised at all if our mobile phones suddenly start bleeping, clanging, bursting into flames and speaking in tongues

Yes fair point. I wouldnt trust them to recognise an emergency if it was dancing on the table singing I am an emergency.

The alerts are only for more modern mobiles that are 4G or 5G, so really old mobiles won't be affected.