Emergency Alert To Be Sent To Every Mobile Phone In UK

MSN reports: To make sure everyone knows it’s just a rehearsal, the message will continue with: “In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information. This is a test. You do not need to take any action.”

The 2023 trial of this system had some people finding the alert ‘loud’ and quite alarming. The date for the upcoming test hasn’t been set yet, but the plan is to have these exercises every two years, ensuring the system’s reliability, reports Devon Live.

A spokesperson from the Cabinet Office has emphasised: “This system is not designed to cause panic, but to ensure people are aware of imminent threats and can act quickly. This test is part of building national resilience and saving lives in future crises.”

Previously, this alert system wasn’t just for practice; it proved its worth earlier when four million people received a warning before Storm Eowyn’s impact on the UK. Also, three million were informed about the approaching Storm Darragh in 2024.

The message will be received on 4G and 5G mobile phones, accompanied by sound and vibration for up to 10 seconds, even if devices are on silent. Mobile users will need to swipe away the message or click “OK” on their home screen before they can continue using their device.

Drivers are advised not to look at or touch their phone until it is safe, just as when receiving any call or message.

The system is based on similar schemes in the US, Canada, the Netherlands and Japan. However, campaigners against domestic violence have warned that the test could put people at risk by revealing the location of secret phones hidden by those in danger.

The Government stated in 2023 that it had been actively engaging with organisations working with vulnerable women and girls to ensure they are not negatively impacted by the introduction of emergency alerts.

Officials have assured that it’s easy to opt out of the system if people need their phone to remain hidden, either by turning off emergency alerts in their settings or simply having the phone switched off during the test. Chief Fire Officer Alex Woodman, from the National Fire Chiefs’ Council, said in 2023: “We must use every tool at our disposal to keep people safe, and we need everyone to play their part, and the new Emergency Alerts system is one way we can do this.

“For 10 seconds, the national test may be inconvenient for some, but it’s important, because the next time you hear it, your life, and the life-saving actions of our emergency services, could depend on it.”