Worried about this phone alert?

[ditzylazymummy]

Why would they be doing it? Do you think it could mean they're worried they might need to use it soon?

I'm glad we're at last catching up with this, it could be really useful.

I’m not concerned about it and I don’t think it’s some conspiracy.

But if it starts being used for missing kids, road accidents, “watch out it’s a bit windy outside” etc I’m switching it off. I only want loud sirens going off on my phone if I’m in the immediate vicinity of something akin to the London bombings or a tsunami.

I live in the States in wildfire country and have found it very useful. We've never had to evacuate, but have gotten notifications to be aware of a wildfire in the area. We've also traveled through tornado country and gotten alerts about tornado watches/warnings in the area we're driving through/staying in. Think how helpful is, especially in the middle of the night! It can and does save lives.

We've also gotten one 'shelter in place' message from local law enforcement when they were chasing a man in our immediate vicinity. Again, it was good to know we should lock our doors.

Relax.

No.
surprised we’ve not had one before, every other country does

How?

I’ve had them in other countries to warn about extreme weather and missing children. I personally think it is a good idea and can understand why you would worry about it

What type of abuse exactly?

Yes. World is ending and they want to let us know.

Thosw whinging about it will be the same people complaining "we should get an alert" when or if shit does actually hit the fan.

Err the type of thing @Darkchocolatekitkat just said.

Imagine if Hancock had been in charge of this

If you don't want to be pestered with it, you can disable the alerts. Women's aid are advising domestic abuse survivors (at home) to do this.

https://news.sky.com/story/how-to-turn-off-uk-wide-emergency-alert-which-could-put-domestic-abuse-survivors-at-risk-12859913

Jesus not again.

My Samsung Galaxy A20e The alerts are already toggled to grey It cant be changed.

Sending inane government communications/pointless warnings akin to the stuff they use the public address system for at train stations - no longer just used for announcing actually useful information about trains or platforms, but “See it say it sorted” and “It’s raining so please take extra care not to slip over”. Would they have built a PA system just for those messages, probably not, but once it’s there…

Imagine the temptation to send out reminders about tax return deadlines, public health messages, reminders to get your flu shot, amber weather alerts….

🙄

when this was on the news the other day even my primary aged DC appears to know its been years in development. Quote "this has taken bare time hasn't it mummy?"

We’ve had it for years, UK is just catching up.

Just to echo others, and also hailing from earthquake/gun/wildfire/crazy weather/serial killer country, they’re very useful. They really help maintain some sort of order if the chaos is let loose. I think there is, understandably, so much mistrust in the government and media, it’s inevitable that there’s a bit of a collective sense of insecurity around the introduction of this alert system. I too have raised my eyebrows in distrust. But actually you have to wonder why we’re way behind everywhere else. These alert systems have been in place for years in other countries. The thing is, our emergency response will likely be… well… sub par.

Praying for District 1 🤞🏻 I don’t think I’d cope in 12

Only the emergency services and government departments that directly deal with emergency situations will have access to send out the alerts. Other gov departments, HMRC etc won't have access.

It's not in the governments interest to overuse the system, as this will lessen people attention to it.

Many countries have this already, and it's very useful. It is not used for mundane things as then people are likely to ignore or turn it off.

I imagine they think they might need it other wise why would they be making it?

Zombie apocalypse. OP.

Brace yourself..

You could read one of the other threads about this. It's been discussed lots already.

I can't say I'm worried about it, other countries have used similar tech for a while. I suppose I could worry and overthink about what it means them rolling it out now but the reality is even if it was due to some imminent concern we don't have any influence over it.

I have however turned the alert off on my phone temporarily, this is on the basis that this one is just a test run and my daughter has autism and finds a Sunday afternoon transition before going back to school hard without my phone blaring and causing her to become selective mute for the day.

If we get any more of these paranoid threads about this Mumsnet will have to make a new board for it. 🙄

Exactly this!

It’s been an idea that they’ve wanted to introduce for years. It’s been being developed for years. It was supposed to be tested two years ago (before the war or anything sinister like that) but surprisingly (!!) it’s been delayed and disorganised so the government are essentially finally getting round to doing something that been planned for a very very long time. The only sinister thing here is how shockingly far behind the Uk is with something like this compared to other countries.

The only worry I have is those who have genuine reasons (I.e. not an affair) to have a second phone who forget to turn the feature off.

I’ve received alerts when travelling and living in Europe years ago and they are very useful and not sinister.

How many of these threads will be see over the next few days?