Emergency alert test to be sent to all UK phones

KUMB's 24-hour rolling news channel. The Forum in which to discuss non sport-related news and current affairs, including politics.

Moderators: Gnome, last.caress, Wilko1304, Rio, bristolhammerfc, the pink palermo, chalks

Post Reply
User avatar
Johnny Byrne's Boots
Posts: 32135
Joined: Mon Jun 05, 2006 5:19 pm
Location: Care home dodger
Has liked: 1788 likes
Total likes: 2072 likes

Emergency alert test to be sent to all UK phones

Post by Johnny Byrne's Boots »

Public emergency alerts to be sent to all UK mobile phones
A siren-like alert will be sent to mobile phone users across the UK next month to test a new government public warning system.

It allows the government and emergency services to send urgent messages warning the public of life-threatening situations like flooding or wildfires.

The test is expected to take place in the early evening of 23 April.

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.

The system - which became operational on Sunday - is being modelled on similar schemes used in the US, Canada, Japan and The Netherlands.

Messages would only ever come from the government or emergency services and will initially focus on the most serious weather-related events, with the ability to get a message to 90% of mobile users within the relevant area.

Terror alerts could be added to the list of potential events that would trigger a notification.


more...

Weather and terror only. Chances of mission creep?
User avatar
hammers92
Posts: 12080
Joined: Fri Mar 22, 2013 10:42 pm
Has liked: 317 likes
Total likes: 1748 likes

Re: Emergency alert test to be sent to all UK phones

Post by hammers92 »

Had one of these in New York when there was a psychopath who opened fire on a subway in Brooklyn and was on the run for 24 hours. Everyone at the same time looked at their phone and I won’t lie, proper bricked it.

I think it’s a good thing if it’s going to be used for emergencies and targeted in various areas but my did it put the fear of god into me. I think it was the sound and everyone just stopping.
User avatar
Rio
Ronnie Biggs was here
Posts: 25987
Joined: Wed Dec 04, 2002 1:29 pm
Location: Reykjavik comma Iceland full stop
Has liked: 159 likes
Total likes: 1080 likes
Contact:

Re: Emergency alert test to be sent to all UK phones

Post by Rio »

Any chance of a go to bed, nothings happening alert on deadline day?
User avatar
delbert
Posts: 27175
Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2003 11:27 pm
Location: Barking, home of the slowly meandering Prius
Has liked: 698 likes
Total likes: 697 likes

Re: Emergency alert test to be sent to all UK phones

Post by delbert »

Early evening on St George's day, they can do one........
Online
User avatar
OFT
Posts: 21538
Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2005 11:59 pm
Location: Sleepin’ in a bayou on a old rotten cot
Has liked: 2995 likes
Total likes: 1758 likes

Re: Emergency alert test to be sent to all UK phones

Post by OFT »

Russian Nuke incoming, :winker:
User avatar
bonzosbeard
Posts: 13224
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 2:48 am
Location: somerset
Has liked: 2115 likes
Total likes: 1336 likes

Re: Emergency alert test to be sent to all UK phones

Post by bonzosbeard »

OFT wrote: Mon Mar 20, 2023 9:12 am Russian Nuke incoming, :winker:
Makes you wonder doesn't it. Not that an alert would help. Rather take a direct hit than hang about to what's left after.
User avatar
RichieRiv
Posts: 20858
Joined: Tue Dec 17, 2002 2:35 pm
Location: https://www.hireahero.org.uk/
Has liked: 307 likes
Total likes: 803 likes

Re: Emergency alert test to be sent to all UK phones

Post by RichieRiv »

What makes anyone think this is going to work?

Track & Trace App anyone?

Government IT project success rates?
User avatar
Jonah
Posts: 5338
Joined: Fri Jan 31, 2003 3:39 pm
Location: Somewhere stuck between joyful and peachy
Has liked: 637 likes
Total likes: 539 likes

Re: Emergency alert test to be sent to all UK phones

Post by Jonah »

hammers92 wrote: Sun Mar 19, 2023 8:45 pm I think it’s a good thing if it’s going to be used for emergencies and targeted in various areas but my did it put the fear of god into me. I think it was the sound and everyone just stopping.
Had a weather alert last year while in Halkidiki, sat in a restaurant in the evening and over the space of 2 minutes everyone's phone was going off - to warn us of thunderstorms and flooding........50 miles away.
User avatar
dasnutnock3
Posts: 6455
Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2022 12:38 pm
Has liked: 1859 likes
Total likes: 2446 likes

Re: Emergency alert test to be sent to all UK phones

Post by dasnutnock3 »

“Severe weather warning”
“Pay the ulez charge”
“All hail King Charles”
“Vote conservative or we’ll eat your children and/or pets”
User avatar
EvilC
Posts: 18221
Joined: Sun Jul 25, 2004 5:54 pm
Location: In the street as the cold wind blows, in the ghetto...
Has liked: 2627 likes
Total likes: 1178 likes

Re: Emergency alert test to be sent to all UK phones

Post by EvilC »

Johnny Byrne's Boots wrote: Sun Mar 19, 2023 8:39 pmChances of mission creep?
* YOUR TAX RETURN IS OVERDUE *
User avatar
Billydinho
Posts: 17261
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2006 9:18 pm
Location: Piss Making.
Has liked: 174 likes
Total likes: 767 likes

Re: Emergency alert test to be sent to all UK phones

Post by Billydinho »

This feels sinister to me and nothing to do with weather.

Like they’re readying us for something.
Online
User avatar
Hummer_I_mean_Hammer
Posts: 11576
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 9:45 pm
Has liked: 942 likes
Total likes: 479 likes

Re: Emergency alert test to be sent to all UK phones

Post by Hummer_I_mean_Hammer »

RichieRiv wrote: Mon Mar 20, 2023 10:47 am What makes anyone think this is going to work?

Track & Trace App anyone?

Government IT project success rates?
Mistake they make is using IT consultants and the associated massive fees. All they need is someone who knows how to use SMS and mail merge. Put the two together and there you are. But then one or more of their mates might lose out on a few quid.
User avatar
dasnutnock3
Posts: 6455
Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2022 12:38 pm
Has liked: 1859 likes
Total likes: 2446 likes

Re: Emergency alert test to be sent to all UK phones

Post by dasnutnock3 »

Hummer_I_mean_Hammer wrote: Mon Mar 20, 2023 1:42 pmBut then one or more of their mates might lose out on a few quid.
Indeed, the only reason to consider a project of this nature is to divert many billions of taxpayer's money into a tory donor's back pocket.
Online
User avatar
Hummer_I_mean_Hammer
Posts: 11576
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 9:45 pm
Has liked: 942 likes
Total likes: 479 likes

Re: Emergency alert test to be sent to all UK phones

Post by Hummer_I_mean_Hammer »

dasnutnock3 wrote: Mon Mar 20, 2023 1:47 pm Indeed, the only reason to consider a project of this nature is to divert many billions of taxpayer's money into a tory donor's back pocket.
Are you suggesting Dan, that the government would put profits ahead of public safety...? :chin:
User avatar
bonzosbeard
Posts: 13224
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 2:48 am
Location: somerset
Has liked: 2115 likes
Total likes: 1336 likes

Re: Emergency alert test to be sent to all UK phones

Post by bonzosbeard »

Billydinho wrote: Mon Mar 20, 2023 1:18 pm This feels sinister to me and nothing to do with weather.

Like they’re readying us for something.

I felt a bit like that, but appears other countries already use it.
User avatar
dasnutnock3
Posts: 6455
Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2022 12:38 pm
Has liked: 1859 likes
Total likes: 2446 likes

Re: Emergency alert test to be sent to all UK phones

Post by dasnutnock3 »

Hummer_I_mean_Hammer wrote: Mon Mar 20, 2023 2:10 pm Are you suggesting Dan, that the government would put profits ahead of public safety...? :chin:
Yes. Yes I am.
User avatar
the pink palermo
Huge noggin
Posts: 45056
Joined: Thu Sep 03, 2009 12:00 pm
Location: The Notorious Gate B @LS
Has liked: 759 likes
Total likes: 2939 likes

Re: Emergency alert test to be sent to all UK phones

Post by the pink palermo »

Seemingly, you will be unable to use some apps on your phone until after you have acknowledged receipt of the Government text.

Stay off the grid.

This is, without a doubt, a huge infringement of your liberty.

Brothers, sisters, we don't need that fascist groove thang.....
Online
User avatar
Hummer_I_mean_Hammer
Posts: 11576
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 9:45 pm
Has liked: 942 likes
Total likes: 479 likes

Re: Emergency alert test to be sent to all UK phones

Post by Hummer_I_mean_Hammer »

the pink palermo wrote: Mon Mar 20, 2023 3:15 pm Seemingly, you will be unable to use some apps on your phone until after you have acknowledged receipt of the Government text.

Stay off the grid.

This is, without a doubt, a huge infringement of your liberty.

Brothers, sisters, we don't need that fascist groove thang.....
I'm convinced that your either a) some mega-cartel drug leader, or b) a master-mind anarchist who owns the dark web.
User avatar
sendô
Posts: 44309
Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2005 12:41 pm
Location: rubbing my eyes in disbelief - we've won a European trophy!
Has liked: 2424 likes
Total likes: 2636 likes

Re: Emergency alert test to be sent to all UK phones

Post by sendô »

ALERT! - Steady drizzle expected for the next week - ALERT!
User avatar
kenthammer1984
Posts: 5300
Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2011 5:21 pm
Has liked: 23 likes
Total likes: 81 likes

Re: Emergency alert test to be sent to all UK phones

Post by kenthammer1984 »

My MIL said something this morning about there must be a lot of people in UK with a secret 2nd phone (people in volotile relationships, domestic abuse sufferers etc who have a 2nd phone for an emergency their partner doesn't know about) - surely this will give up the phones location and the secret phone won't be very secret at all? (unless they swich it off as assuming the text/alert won't automatically turn the phone on?)
Post Reply