US EditionMillions of phones sound sirens as government tests emergency alert system
The UK government tested its emergency alert system by sending siren sounds and messages to millions of mobile phones to improve readiness for national crises, Prime Minister said.
- On Sunday, September 7, a nationwide test of the governmentβs emergency alert system caused countless mobile devices throughout the UK to sound a siren and vibrate simultaneously.
- The test followed a first trial in April 2023 and supports a 2023 Resilience Action Plan addressing national threats like extreme weather and cyberattacks.
- At 3 pm, a 10-second alert was sent to phones using the latest mobile network technology, briefly interrupting various sports events such as cricket, football, and rugby matches.
- The government official in charge of work and pensions referred to the alerts as a "national fire alarm" that necessitates regular practice drills, while a social media user named Breakwell described the test as startling, likening it to an incoming nuclear strike.
- The government intends to make ongoing improvements to maintain system dependability during emergencies and emphasizes that users have the option to disable alerts, an important consideration for individuals in abusive situations who keep their phones hidden.
Insights by Ground AI
Does this summary seem wrong?
28 Articles
28 Articles
Millions in UK shocked by emergency message
On Sunday, September 7 at 3pm, millions of mobile phones across the UK blared a piercing siren and vibrated for 10 seconds as the government conducted a nationwide test of its emergency alert system. Designed to prepare for life-threatening situations like extreme weather or terrorist attacks, the test displayed a message: βThis is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK government service that willβ¦ Source
Β·Spain
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources28
Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center15Last UpdatedBias Distribution75% Center
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources are Center
75% Center
L 20%
C 75%
Β
FactualityΒ
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
