To think there’s something a bit sinister about the Government Emergency Alert test on 7th September?

[ThisAmberSignal]

I know it’s being pitched as just a routine safety check, “nothing to worry about” but I can’t help but feel uneasy. Why now? Why the sudden push to roll this out and get everyone’s phones buzzing at the same time?
Is it really just a public safety measure or could there be something more going on here - surveillance, control, a soft rollout of something bigger?

AIBU to feel suspicious… or do others get the same vibe?

Same. If a nuke is on its way then I would rather be blissfully unaware than spend my final few minutes in blind panic

Because to anyone moderately well informed they don’t tell you anything you don’t already know. All they’ve been used for in the UK is weather alerts. Well, I’ve survived 50odd years by just checking the forecast periodically, and a quick google if I want to know more. Or, it’ll be something you can do nothing about, like a nuclear attack, in which case I’d rather not know 😂

In flood, tsunami, volcano or earthquake prone countries then I’d probably turn on ‘extreme alerts, but in the UK and much of Europe I see no point.

Outside of those turning it off for safety reasons (e.g. DV) I bet the Venn diagram of those turning it off and those complaining that the useless government never does anything to help people in a crisis is closer to a circle than a bum crack.

What’s the eye roll for?

I don’t care what Labour have to say about anything, no.

There are plenty other ways to get news alerts

If you have a secret phone due to DV or other reasons. You can switch off the alerts . Based on iPhone
. Settings
. Notifications
. Scroll to the bottom and see emergency alerts. Extreme and severe. Switch off

Apart from dv and secret phones not sure why you wouldn't want an alert that warns you of something serious and could save your family's life or even just your property.

I'm not sure sharing that kind of information with Joe Publis is wise.

Some people are just too stupid to be given this information and trusted to be sensible.

You should see a medical professional for your paranoia 🙄

I spend plenty time in Texas and there are weather warnings there quite regularly; if everyone turned off their alerts a lot more people would die.

All this ‘I’m too cool to be alerted to danger’ shit is very tiresome.

I think given the increase in global warming related weather disasters worldwide (hurricanes, forest fires etc) it’s a good idea! There are such high temperatures and fires now in Europe every summer. It’s not that far away and I would rather be prepared.

I don't think they're texting out the nuclear codes more 'severe wind avoid all travel' type updates.

If it gets to the point all Internet is down and the only means of en masse communication is the alert then I think we're already doomed. I'll stay home!!

This. I don't get the competitive "I'm turning mine off". Why? Surely in the event of a real emergency, it would be handy to have it on?

People are very strange

Which BBC weather would forewarn me of quite adequately. As would the News channels and every other SM platform I would look at.

So I wouldn't need the alarm?

Don't tell me OP, you also think hotels are full of men who aren't asylum seekers but actually a secret UN army sent here to enforce the implementation of the digital ID?

It's really nonsense. Back out of this rabbithole before it's too late.

Why would you turn it off? It’s to warn about severe weather etc. Such weird paranoia.

We had it for real when the storm came back in January, the problem was not everyone received it and some got it twice (second time for me was at 3am). They’re just trying to refine it.

In the Netherlands they sound their emergency public warning sirens on the 1st Monday of the month, every month!

Nothing sinister- there was a test a few years ago and not every network worked.

Other countries have had this for years. I was in the US in 2017 and a weather alert came through for a storm.
I think they can also do it localised for Amber alerts(missing children)

It’s a positive thing. Especially as you will know what it is rather than a text that may be spam.

Well, if you have been following the news, there are a few things to worry about. How can you all say not?! 🤔

You would probably be fine yes, but it has become clear in the last few years that large swathes of the population take in 0 news media. These alerts are a way to reach them so that they know to avoid driving/get to higher ground/ stock up on water.

The Dutch alarm system, both phones and air sirens, goes off every first Monday at noon in the even months. Happy to know that the system works in case of local and national emergencies!

I was thinking why is everyone saying it was 2.5 years ago, this happened recently.

it appears it was January, for storm eowyn
which wasn’t a mark on storm Arwen here.

Please tell me in what situation it is better to create mass panic and chaos by texting us all en masse?

Probably because they think they are sticking two fingers up to authority ornsome such crap, when in reality they just make themselves look daft and immature.