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Emergency Alert!

(93 Posts)
62Granny Sun 19-Mar-23 18:12:11

Apparently on the 23rd of April I the early evening every mobile phone will receive an Emergency Alert notification and sound . Even if your phone is on silent it will still come through and you won't be able to use the phone until you acknowledge receipt of it, the Government is gaining access our phones whether we want it or not apparently they will use it to notify you of flooding or huge fires in your area but what next, are we entering an era of Government propaganda being put out via our phones? I am not happy about this but short of getting rid of my mobile I don't see a way out.

Glorianny Mon 20-Mar-23 13:41:12

My DS told me about it. My first thought was a nuclear warning. But on further consideration I've decided it is far more lightly to be a get out clause. "We sent out a warning, if you get drowned in a flood/caught in a storm/in a major pile-up, it's your own fault because WE WARNED YOU!!!!

GrannyGravy13 Mon 20-Mar-23 13:45:58

Jeezy peeps, this could save lives. We live just over the bridge from where the great flood of 31st January 1953 occurred, 58 people lost their lives homes were lost it was devastating.

I can remember the test flood warning sirens through most of the 70’s.

It seems sensible to me.

CatsCatsCats Mon 20-Mar-23 13:52:01

One more reason for me to feel grateful I don't have a mobile phone

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 20-Mar-23 14:02:50

Where I live in the sticks there’s no signal so I won’t be disturbed.

LadyHonoriaDedlock Mon 20-Mar-23 14:03:56

pooohbear2811 I decided more than 40 years ago that when the 4-minute warning comes I'll go outside and sit in the street. Life won't be worth living after a full-scale nuclear attack. Have you seen Threads? or read/seen When The Wind Blows?

katy1950 Mon 20-Mar-23 14:10:41

Omg the dam thing will be buzzing all the time you only need to listen to the weather forecast when they tell you to stay indoor cos we may get 2 cms of snow which could result in the lost of life such drama

welshgirl2017 Mon 20-Mar-23 14:14:45

In 2020 we were in Greece and in lockdown on the island of Crete. The Greek govt. were sending out edicts direct to everyones mobile phones about what you could and could not do in relation to movements etc. You had to enter a code into the mobile and send it back to notify if you needed to go out, for example shopping, doctors etc... and if you got stopped by police without having notified the authorities via your mobile you could be arrested! So the UK plan is pretty tame compared to Greek authorities.

Sawsage2 Mon 20-Mar-23 14:53:11

I think we're spied on anyway. Every time I turn on the TV its ALWAYS the ads first.

MadeInYorkshire Mon 20-Mar-23 15:24:52

Dempie55

Germanshepherdsmum

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

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

Absolutely true!

More propaganda and control from our fearmongering Govt. Go to setting, notifications and turn Emergency Alerts OFF! On Sky News the Minister was talking about Civil Resilience - I reckon more like Civil Resistance!

rosie1959 Mon 20-Mar-23 15:48:40

Sounds like a good idea to me can see absolutely no point in turning it off.
Not quite sure how the government can possibly control people by just sending a warning of any impending danger.

win Mon 20-Mar-23 15:53:02

What about all the scam alerts we are bound to receive?

JackyB Mon 20-Mar-23 15:57:11

They tried this out in Germany a while back. If I remember correctly it was as a reaction to the devastating floods in the Ahr valley. Haven't had anything since.

Ampersand Mon 20-Mar-23 16:07:48

I wholeheartedly support this action

Lake Ohau NZ - In 2020 my oldest friend was woken at 1am by such an alarm/alert on her phone as her village was on fire. Fortunately no lives were lost but 48 of 40 homes were completely destroyed. My friend had moved there after her house was destroyed in the Auckland earthquake

lilydily9 Mon 20-Mar-23 16:34:48

Living in a flood-risk area, I welcome it. The last time we faced the risk of flooding, there was nothing on any of the BBC channels to keep us up to date. It was the day Nelson Mandela died and he was the focus of attention on every one of their channels. I did complain!

Urmstongran Mon 20-Mar-23 16:44:22

23 April is St George’s Day.
Wonder if there be dragons to slay once we’ve been warned?
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

11unicorn Mon 20-Mar-23 16:45:49

We have this in the USA and I find it really useful.
Not just for disasters but they also send out an alert when a vulnerable old person goes missing or when a child has been abducted - of course only in your relevant area - with description and car they are in. I find it so important as it no doubt has helped find people much faster

Ilovedragonflies Mon 20-Mar-23 16:55:21

I'm another sceptic that thinks this is Putin/China related. If they send nukes here I'll be sitting outside with my little dog, waiting to go together.

Candelle Mon 20-Mar-23 17:01:23

I missed this announcement yesterday and am grateful for the OP bringing the subject up here or I would probably jump out of my skin on the 23rd. I will let my friends and family know in case they are unaware, too.

Overall I think this is an excellent idea if indeed it has saved lives where the system is in use.

Yes, the timing could be misconstrued (Russia... China etc) but as I can see no possible way I can stop any nasty coming my way I will continue to shut those thoughts out!

Arto1s Mon 20-Mar-23 18:16:26

We already have this in the USA, but can decide whether or not to switch on to the notification system. I did, by choice, and think it is a useful tool to have.

PerkyPiggy Mon 20-Mar-23 18:28:20

I think it's a good idea. It would have been helpful when Storm Arwen was on its way.

JudyBloom Mon 20-Mar-23 18:54:18

Another tyrannical move, setting up for more control when they decide there will be another 'pandemic'. It's getting all too much.

Gundy Mon 20-Mar-23 19:43:09

Cherrytree59 True dat… mobiles in the US do all go off at the same time when there is a real emergency. You especially notice it in the grocery store.

Real emergency: a severe tornado warning; car collision(s) where roads have been closed for emergency vehicles; active shooter in the neighborhood; amber alerts for kidnapped children (pictures/info/license plate #) to be on the lookout for… and such.

I am happy to be notified. For those who aren’t happy thinking the govt is too intrusive… you need to realize that they already have your info whether you like it or not. These govt agencies alert the neighborhoods where the problems are - keeping you safe.
Cheers!
USA Gundy

Marydoll Mon 20-Mar-23 19:57:34

For those sceptics and doubters, this is an extract from the Govt. website.

By broadcasting from cell towers in the vicinity of an emergency, the alerts are secure, free to receive, and one-way. They do not reveal anyone’s location or collect personal data.   Alerts can only be sent by authorised Governmental and Emergency Services users. Successful live tests of the service have already taken place in East Suffolk and Reading.

I'm quite surprised at those who think it is not a good thing.

GrannyGravy13 Mon 20-Mar-23 20:05:12

So am I MaryDoll

Marydoll Mon 20-Mar-23 20:12:54

GrannyGravy13

So am I MaryDoll

GG, I do love a good conspiracy theory! wink

If it saves lives, it can only be a good thing.
Regradless of whether you read/accept the alerts, anyone with the know how and/or authority, can access your personal info on your devices, without your permission.