More information has been disclosed about the upcoming test of a new public warning system that will send an alert to smartphones across the UK.
On April 23 at 15:00 BST, a message with a siren will instruct people to follow the alert’s instructions in a real emergency to ensure safety.
Even phones on silent will receive a 10-second sound and vibration alert.
Users must acknowledge the alert before resuming device use.
The warning system is intended for alerting people of severe weather conditions, like wildfires or flash floods, and could also be utilized in case of civil defense emergencies or terror incidents.
The UK government will send a test alert to mobile phones using both 4G and 5G networks. The message will state that it is a test of Emergency Alerts, which is a new service that will notify individuals of nearby life-threatening emergencies.
The message will advise individuals to follow the instructions provided in the alert during an actual emergency to ensure their safety and that of others. Further information is available at gov.uk/alerts, and no action is required during the test.
Motorists are being cautioned not to use their phone or touch it until it is safe to do so, as is the case with receiving calls or messages.
Oliver Dowden, the minister responsible for the system, stated that its implementation provides an essential measure to protect the public during life-threatening emergencies.
Alex Woodman, representing the National Fire Chiefs’ Council, urged the public to do their part in ensuring safety, stating that “it could be the sound that saves your life.”
“The national test may be inconvenient for some during the 10-second duration, but it’s crucial. Because the next time you hear it, your safety, as well as the life-saving actions of our emergency services, could rely on it,” said Alex Woodman from the National Fire Chiefs’ Council.
As per a government instructional video, the emergency alerts will only be sent by the government or emergency services, and will go to all compatible phones within an area of risk. The alerts will not use phone numbers, collect data, or track movements.
All 4G and 5G Android and Apple phones already have the emergency alert capability, and there is no need to register or download an application. This system is similar to those already in use in other countries such as the US, Canada, and Japan.
The introduction of emergency alerts has raised concerns among domestic abuse campaigners, including the charity Refuge, who have warned that the test could endanger vulnerable people by alerting abusers to the location of a secret phone.
However, the government has been working with such organizations to ensure that those at risk are not negatively impacted by the implementation of emergency alerts.
People can choose to opt out of the emergency alert system during the test by turning off the alerts in their phone settings or switching off their phone altogether if they need to remain concealed.
The initial plan to conduct the test in the early evening was changed to avoid overlapping with the Manchester United and Brighton FA Cup semi-final.
Source : bbc.com