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| UK emergency-alert system: What is it and when is the test? | UK emergency-alert system: What is it and when is the test? |
| (1 day later) | |
| A UK-wide emergency alert system will be tested on Sunday. | |
| A message is set to appear on the home screens of mobile phones and tablets from 15:00 BST, accompanied by a loud siren-like sound or vibration lasting for about 10 seconds. | |
| The government says the new system is a "vital tool to keep the public safe in life-threatening emergencies". | |
| What will the message say? | What will the message say? |
| The test alert will say: "This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby. | The test alert will say: "This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby. |
| "In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. | "In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. |
| "Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information. | "Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information. |
| "This is a test. You do not need to take any action." | "This is a test. You do not need to take any action." |
| Phone users can swipe away the alert message or click "OK" to continue using their phone as normal. | |
| Which devices will receive the alerts? | Which devices will receive the alerts? |
| The alerts will work on all 4G and 5G phone networks and on devices with the following software: | |
| iPhones running iOS 14.5 or later | iPhones running iOS 14.5 or later |
| phones and tablets running Android 11 or later | phones and tablets running Android 11 or later |
| Older "non-smart" phones will be unable to receive the alerts, and nor will devices that are turned off or on aeroplane mode. | |
| The alert will sound on phones on silent mode. | |
| The government says emergency services will have other ways to notify those without a compatible device. | |
| The alert is expected to reach about 90% of mobile phones. | |
| Can users turn off emergency alerts? | Can users turn off emergency alerts? |
| Despite the government strongly recommending enabling devices to receive alerts, users can opt out. | |
| This can be done by searching in settings for "emergency alerts" and turning off "severe alerts" and "extreme alerts". | |
| Is personal data protected? | Is personal data protected? |
| Personal data about a user's device or specific location will not be collected or shared, according to the Cabinet Office. | Personal data about a user's device or specific location will not be collected or shared, according to the Cabinet Office. |
| The alerts will be broadcast from mobile-phone masts to every compatible phone and tablet within range. | |
| The government or emergency services do not need to know the mobile-phone number or any other personal data. | |
| Why have some organisations criticised the test? | Why have some organisations criticised the test? |
| Domestic-abuse campaigners, including the charity Refuge, warn the test could endanger some vulnerable people by potentially alerting an abuser to the location of a hidden phone. | Domestic-abuse campaigners, including the charity Refuge, warn the test could endanger some vulnerable people by potentially alerting an abuser to the location of a hidden phone. |
| The government says it has been engaging with the organisations to ensure vulnerable people were not adversely affected. Refuge has produced a video showing how to turn off the alerts. | |
| Drivers are also advised not to look at or touch their phone until it is safe to do so, just as when receiving calls or messages. | Drivers are also advised not to look at or touch their phone until it is safe to do so, just as when receiving calls or messages. |
| When might emergency alerts be used in the future? | When might emergency alerts be used in the future? |
| Emergency alerts, with advice about how to stay safe, will be sent - locally or nationally, by the government or emergency services - on rare occasions where there is a threat to life. | Emergency alerts, with advice about how to stay safe, will be sent - locally or nationally, by the government or emergency services - on rare occasions where there is a threat to life. |
| They will initially focus on the most serious weather-related events, such as: | They will initially focus on the most serious weather-related events, such as: |
| severe flooding | severe flooding |
| fires | fires |
| extreme weather | extreme weather |
| But many people will not receive an alert for months, perhaps even years. | But many people will not receive an alert for months, perhaps even years. |
| Do other countries use emergency alerts? | Do other countries use emergency alerts? |
| Many countries around the world use emergency-alert systems, including the United States, the Netherlands and Japan. | Many countries around the world use emergency-alert systems, including the United States, the Netherlands and Japan. |
| Japan credits its system with saving countless lives in natural disasters. | Japan credits its system with saving countless lives in natural disasters. |
| The US system allows the president to send a message to citizens directly. | The US system allows the president to send a message to citizens directly. |
| But it does not always go to plan. | But it does not always go to plan. |
| In 2018, in the US state of Hawaii, an alert warning of an incoming missile was sent in error, causing widespread panic. | In 2018, in the US state of Hawaii, an alert warning of an incoming missile was sent in error, causing widespread panic. |
| Hawaii in shock after false missile alert | Hawaii in shock after false missile alert |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Domestic abuse | Domestic abuse |
| Driving and mobile phones | Driving and mobile phones |
| Mobile phones | Mobile phones |