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Original poster

Domestic abuse victims urged to disable Government’s emergency alert system

27 replies

yourhairiswinterfire · 31/03/2023 19:13

Just sharing this here and hoping others can share wherever you can as I haven't seen this warning in mainstream media.

On Sun 23rd April, smartphones in the UK will receive a 10 second test alert, which will be a siren-like alarm and vibration even if your phone is on silent.

But concerns have been raised that those who have secret phones hidden from their abusers could be put at increased risk should the alert go off.
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Victims’ Commissioner Nicky Brennan said: “I know first hand of many victims of domestic abuse who have a concealed phone as a lifeline, allowing them to keep in touch with friends and family or to be used in an emergency.

“While the emergency alert system is understandable, it is also vital we raise awareness that this can be switched off for those who need it.
“I urge anybody who has a concealed phone for their own safety to switch off these alerts.”

Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner Tom McNeil added: “Sadly too many people, particularly women, are living with an abusive partner and find themselves needing to have secret phones in case of an emergency. That’s why we’re working to raise awareness on how to switch this alert off in case you are put at increased risk from a partner finding out you have a secret or secondary phone.

“Even if your phone is set to silent it will still go off, so please see our guidance on how to disable the alerts.”

https://www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/domestic-abuse-victims-urged-to-disable-governments-emergency-alert-system/

Domestic abuse victims urged to disable Government's emergency alert system - West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner

Victims of domestic abuse who have a concealed phone hidden from their abuser can switch off the government’s new emergency alert system. On Sunday, April 23rd, all 4G and 5G compatible phones will receive a test message on the system which will includ...

https://www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/domestic-abuse-victims-urged-to-disable-governments-emergency-alert-system

OP posts:
MarchMadness23 · 02/04/2023 14:26

funnelfan · 01/04/2023 13:38

I’ve lived in the USA and had these kind of notifications. The one about the tornado in my area and head for shelter NOW certainly got my attention! I also had them to notify of a missing child and to keep a lookout for them.

it’s a good system. As well as flooding I can think of things like that dam that had structural integrity issues, or the wildfires that burned houses. They can also be used if there’s a major incident like terrorist attack or gunmen at large to warn and instruct people.

it’s the kind of facility you hope you’ll never have to use, but is vital these days.

@funnelfan

As yet, they won't be using it for missing people or terrorist warnings (sorry brain fog, I can't remember why exactly something to do with Parliament I think).

It didn't sound like they were pushing for that either though.

I think they wanted to make it clear it was NOT because of Russia, that it was already being worked on for other reasons.

MarchMadness23 · 02/04/2023 14:29

A friend told me about it a couple of weeks ago, she'd heard it on the BBC. So hopefully people will have heard about it. I'm going to make an effort to talk/message people about it after Easter, so that hopefully no one gets a fright.

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