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Original poster

To think the government should retest the mobile phone emergency alert?

56 replies

listsandbudgets · 06/10/2024 13:03

For some reason I had an horrendous nightmare last night about a scenario where this didn't work and it got me thinking.

You may remember that they did this a couple of years ago maybe more so that all mobile phones would alert at once.

To my knowledge they've not tested it since. It's not that (apart from in my nightmares) I'm particularly expecting an emergency but wouldn't it be better for them to identify any issues that could have developed with the system before they actually need it? I'm not a techy but I could imagine things like phone software and security updates might have caused issues.

OP posts:
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scalt · 08/10/2024 22:28

Flooding and landslides are not fearmongering. But I do think that if the emergency alerts had been in place in 2020, the govt might have abused them to keep the fear high, and to give the illusion that they were doing something, with the scary buzzwords such as “remember: sing happy birthday while washing hands to save granny”, or “extra high death count in your street”, “extreme heat alert”, “uptick in cases in your street”, “stay at home or granny will die”, etc. I simply wouldn’t have put it past Matt “let’s frighten the pants off the public” Hancock to order this.

DoraSpenlow · 08/10/2024 13:22

beeloubee · 07/10/2024 19:04

No. It's all fear mongering and about control. I opted out so I can't get these emergency texts.

In what way is warning you about flooding or a landslide near you fear mongering or controlling? Genuinely interested.

beeloubee · 07/10/2024 19:04

No. It's all fear mongering and about control. I opted out so I can't get these emergency texts.

Ponderingwindow · 07/10/2024 16:57

I live in a tornado zone. The outdoor alerts get tested monthly. I just went through my phone and it looks like they test that system at least annually and occasionally more often.

we obviously have a distinct reason for the alert and time is essential, though tornados are not the only warnings that have come through the system.

DoraSpenlow · 07/10/2024 16:49

Edingril · 07/10/2024 00:04

So people want a mass panic warning so this will help their anxiety OK why?

If we get to the stage where we are expecting an imminent nuclear strike we will all be in a state of panic and anxiety anyway. If a missile is detected on its way to us, by the time someone has worded the message and pressed send most of us would be dead already.

scalt · 07/10/2024 16:41

The government might use it the next time they want to deliberately “frighten the pants off the public” (their words, not mine).

DoraSpenlow · 07/10/2024 16:34

Can't believe the mentality of some of these comments. Might make me jump. Jeez.

I have had alerts twice on my phone, both in the US. The first was warning of a landslide following heavy rain. This was really useful has we had planned to use that route later in the day and it meant we could go another way. The second was an alert to look out for a vehicle, make, colour, registration which had been used in a child abduction.

Both very worthwhile and useful.

WiddlinDiddlin · 07/10/2024 16:12

Oh god no - the drama last time over it was unbelievable, with people seriously thinking the government could see their phones or control their phones or whatever and then teh anxiety brigade freaking out and the 'i dont even care if the world goes kaput' lot freaking out..

Going through that every year or two... jeeeez.

Sesma · 07/10/2024 15:56

I turned it off, it's just a thing to appease the anxious

NeverEnoughPants · 07/10/2024 15:50

What I would like - I don't think it's an option but correct me if I'm wrong - is the option to get the message without the ridiculous loud noise alongside.

Fluffyc1ouds · 07/10/2024 15:48

I wonder if it's better that it's not tested too regularly, as it might make it feel less urgent when it's used in real life. I expect every time the government announces a test, more people will disable it on their phones.

Maybe we don't need every single phone to go off anyway. I noticed with the bomb alert that if someone's phone didn't go off, they were near someone else who got it and so were aware. Friends and family got onto group chats to talk about it too.

LlynTegid · 07/10/2024 14:50

I think as it was used earlier in the year that is a good test. Unfortunately any time you pick for a test is inconvenient for someone, or perhaps an event where there is a large crowd and could cause panic/crushing etc.

HollaHolla · 07/10/2024 14:41

I didn't get it, and neither did any of my family. I guess the zombie plague will get us.... 😂
Seriously, I'm sure that the constant BBC News alerts will tell us (given I've had them for weirdly inconsequential things.)

Original poster
listsandbudgets · 07/10/2024 14:38

Commonsenseisnotsocommon · 07/10/2024 05:40

So because you've had a bad dream we all have to go along with nanny state overreach, again?! 😂

Yes... next week I'll be dreaming about how dieticians have got it wrong and chocolate, coffee and cake is actually really really good for us

OP posts:
Ensconcedinvelvet · 07/10/2024 07:38

I was in Greece this summer and when i was in a restaurant everyone's went off to warn us of wildfire smoke so it definitely works and is used. Although none of the Greeks took any notice 😅

BeerForMyHorses · 07/10/2024 07:20

This popped into my head this week too.
I do think it needs a regular test sent. But it also needs to be used !!

DatingDinosaur · 07/10/2024 07:12

I never received the test one. Changed some settings on my phone. They've not tested it since so I've no idea if my changes have worked.

So yes, I think they should do a retest.

PuddlesPityParty · 07/10/2024 06:15

@2MargerinesOnTheGo “it would make me jump” you cannot be being serious 🤦‍♀️

Neverplayleapfrogwithmrpipes · 07/10/2024 06:02

They used it in my area recently when there was a chemical explosion with a huge contaminant cloud. My husband did not get any messages on his Samsung.

Commonsenseisnotsocommon · 07/10/2024 05:40

So because you've had a bad dream we all have to go along with nanny state overreach, again?! 😂

Sethera · 07/10/2024 05:37

2MargerinesOnTheGo · 06/10/2024 23:58

I turned it off. I cannot think of a scenario where I want to know anything the government thinks I want to know. It would make me jump for starters, others or the media can alert me. I don’t want an emergency alert should the King snuff it, for example. I could be driving.

Edited

It didn't go off when Elizabeth II 'snuffed it' so why do you think it would go off for Charles?

bergamotorange · 07/10/2024 05:14

2MargerinesOnTheGo · 06/10/2024 23:58

I turned it off. I cannot think of a scenario where I want to know anything the government thinks I want to know. It would make me jump for starters, others or the media can alert me. I don’t want an emergency alert should the King snuff it, for example. I could be driving.

Edited

If there was a flood affecting your property or a chemical spill in your town you wouldn't want to know?

That's fine, but I most people would prefer to know.

shesamarshmallow · 07/10/2024 05:07

since1986 · 07/10/2024 00:01

Most people on the Three network or networks that piggyback their network (giffgaff etc) didn't get it. What Network are you with?

Show quote history

I’m with O2.

Topseyt123 · 07/10/2024 03:15

I never got the last one. I'm on Vodafone at the moment.

Can't say I ever give it that much thought.

Daisybuttercup12345 · 07/10/2024 03:07

Edingril · 07/10/2024 00:04

So people want a mass panic warning so this will help their anxiety OK why?

This.