Government to test NEW Emergency Alert System
Published on 28 March 2023 10:49 AM
On Sunday 23rd of April the Government are testing an emergency alert system, which will send an alert to every mobile phone in the UK. The alert will make a siren noise and vibrate for around 10 seconds, with users unable to access their device until they clear the alert. This is still expected to happen even if the device is on silent mode.
The Guardian has published an article in which it explains who the system will reach and what it means for your personal data:
The UK system works on 4G and 5G phone networks and it is estimated the alerts will reach about 90% of mobile phones in a given area
“The system uses the cell tower your phone is connected to. When an alert is triggered, all towers in the area will broadcast the alert. To do this the government does not need to know the specific location or personal data on your device,” government advice states.
Read more from this article explaining the alert and its purpose.
This could impact survivors of domestic abuse who have another phone or are hiding their phone from the perpetrator.
National charity Refuge have created a useful video to let survivors know how to turn the alert off on both Android phones and iPhones.