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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder about the government warning to our phones.

353 replies

TarasHarp55 · 21/03/2023 17:29

Does anyone know much about this emergency warning thing on our phones. Can't remember the exact day but in April they're going to test it out. Is it fear mongering again. I'm going to switch it off, anyone else.

OP posts:
feellikeanalien · 21/03/2023 18:14

I mentioned on another thread that I already get an automated phone call from the Environment Agency when there is a flood alert as we live in an area which is very prone to flooding.

I then spend the rest of the day stressing about whether we are going to be flooded!!

CaroleSinger · 21/03/2023 18:14

Fireyflies · 21/03/2023 18:12

That's true in the event of a full scale nuclear war. But completely wrong in the (much more likely) event of a single nuclear missile striking not directly on you but within 50 miles.

Makes me cross that so many people refuse to think about nuclear missiles and dismiss doing so in the grounds that "the world will end so I'm not going to think about it" It wouldn't end, but people with not a clue what to do would be the most likely to die, needlessly.

The general public aren't going to be the ones getting access to government bunkers while the dust settles.

User6495321 · 21/03/2023 18:14

But if I am in my car going up the M1, I'm not going to know if it's a nuclear missile or a local flood as I can't just stop and attend my phone

CallMeDaphne · 21/03/2023 18:15

TarasHarp55 · 21/03/2023 17:39

Because if I was fast asleep I'd be frightened to death if my phone started shrieking out. I can't see what I'd want to be alerted about. I live on a hill so it won't be floods.

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Could be an earthquake. You wouldn’t want to miss that.

DustyLee123 · 21/03/2023 18:15

I’ve turned it off.

User6495321 · 21/03/2023 18:16

If it was an earthquake wouldn't it have already happened by the time alert came through

DogInATent · 21/03/2023 18:16

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 21/03/2023 17:32

Why would you switch your phone off?Confused

It's just a test, I don't see any issue?

Secret burner phone for contacting the bit on the side?

CaroleSinger · 21/03/2023 18:17

CallMeDaphne · 21/03/2023 18:15

Could be an earthquake. You wouldn’t want to miss that.

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We don't get them in the UK. Well, once every 3 or 4 decades a roof tile might rattle but that's about it.

MsWhitworth · 21/03/2023 18:18

User6495321 · 21/03/2023 18:14

But if I am in my car going up the M1, I'm not going to know if it's a nuclear missile or a local flood as I can't just stop and attend my phone

The link someone helpfully posted above tells you what to do if you receive one while driving.

TorchwoodWho · 21/03/2023 18:18

I'll be turning it off. I have GAD and no matter what it is, if my phone goes off like that my mind will go straight to "nuclear attack" or similar every single time. I don't have concerns about the government being able to access my phone or whatnot, I just don't want to end up in a panic or having an anxiety attack because I'm being notified there's flooding nearby!

User6495321 · 21/03/2023 18:19

I will listen to the test if it's convenient and then switch it off, bit like how I did with the Covid app, I had a look at it out of nosiness, decided it wasn't for me so deleted it

Original poster
TarasHarp55 · 21/03/2023 18:20

MsWhitworth · 21/03/2023 18:04

They’re not accessing your phone, they’re sending a text message to your phone number.

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In settings there's a "emergency warning" thing isn't there, which wasn't there till recently. So they have accessed it.

OP posts:
CaroleSinger · 21/03/2023 18:22

TarasHarp55 · 21/03/2023 18:20

In settings there's a "emergency warning" thing isn't there, which wasn't there till recently. So they have accessed it.

Show quote history

I thought it was always there on iPhone?

MsWhitworth · 21/03/2023 18:23

TarasHarp55 · 21/03/2023 18:20

In settings there's a "emergency warning" thing isn't there, which wasn't there till recently. So they have accessed it.

Show quote history

I don’t know but if thats correct, it’ll be something that they asked Apple/Android to add to their software updates.

No one has remotely accessed your individual phone, scrolled through it and added such a feature, checking your web history and camera roll for fun as they go.

PurpleWisteria1 · 21/03/2023 18:24

CaroleSinger · 21/03/2023 18:11

I can see how some alerts may be useful. I just don't see how triggering mass manic in an imminent missile strike is going to be helpful, if we're going to die anyway. It think it no coincidence this has only been wheeled out now it's obvious nothing is going to stop Russian aggression against the west. Threats have already been made to launch an attack on the UK. And all of a sudden we are now testing an alert system we never thought to test before. How odd. I'd rather not know I'm going to die in approximately 90 seconds.

It’s been in development for YEARS!
They have not ‘suddenly decided to test it now’ An alert system was always coming to the UK regardless of what else is happening!

Original poster
TarasHarp55 · 21/03/2023 18:24

GettingThereCharleyBear · 21/03/2023 18:08

@TarasHarp55

“Same, I've managed to get through life without it. I also don't like the way the government can access your phone so easy. What will be next.”

And then this literally makes you sound like a conspiracy theorist 😂. What do you think will be next?! 🤪

Who knows, food shortages, NHS collapse, could be anything. What about when we go cashless, no access to your money if you disobey.....

OP posts:
JudgeRudy · 21/03/2023 18:25

BeingBrave22 · 21/03/2023 17:31

They r just setting up a new system and the thing in April is a test to see if it's working. They do these phone alerts in other countries. That said, I do wonder if they know something we don't about a potential future emergency! 🤷

It's not new. It's been on phones for ages. I've had warning when in Poland recently....high winds.

DeltaAlphaDelta79 · 21/03/2023 18:25

Its been built into android software for years. I am sure I have had a test one before.

User6495321 · 21/03/2023 18:27

We had some things come through from government during Covid

HarrietStyles · 21/03/2023 18:29

I lived in Florida 20 years ago and it was common for people to get mass emergency texts, rather than a siren. Especially when a child had gone missing - everyone within a certain radius got a text with description, possible car numberplate etc. It’s a really useful thing in my opinion, could save lives. Imagine if you were by the sea and there was an alert for a possible tsunami - you might not read a text for a while but a siren would definitely get your attention and get you away from the ocean fast.

GettingThereCharleyBear · 21/03/2023 18:29

@TarasHarp55 now I can’t decide if you’re being serious or we truly have descended into batshit conspiracy theories 😂😂

Habibtihayatiii · 21/03/2023 18:31

I've had one of these this afternoon for a warning of rain - unusual and causes disruption here. <waves at @GaspingGekko> (I suspect we're in the same city Grin)

Funnily enough, I was in a crowded location with my husband when it came through and it was nothing more alarming than everyone getting a message on their phones at the same time. I actually didn't check mine as my husband said out loud, it's a weather warning. Nothing more sinister than that; no crazy sirens, panicking, etc. and it hadn't stopped me using my phone even though I haven't actually seen the message myself. it was actually quite useful as we decided to go home a different way avoiding an area we know often floods. I realise the UK one might be slightly different but it really is a useful tool.

hampsteadmum · 21/03/2023 18:31

Very common in other countries in Europe. Many a time while on holiday in Greece for example we receive these types of alerts if there's hot weather that may lead to a bush fire or warning about a bush fire in an area and road closures. Ditto re unusual snowfall that may have led to road closures. These alerts tend to be comically loud. I hope they are a bit quieter here.

User6495321 · 21/03/2023 18:33

People without phones aren't going to know anyway, I don't always take mine out if I am walking somewhere and surely there is more likely to be peril if you are out than in your house.

EllieM27 · 21/03/2023 18:34

It’s been on the phones. Apple and Android are American companies and the US has used their EAS system for over a decade now. They’ve just enabled/activated it on the UK region devices now that we’re finally getting round to doing the same.