Mobile Phones

[Santa Cruz]

Couldn't see a thread to stick this on, so thought best to start one. Could be handy for other general info like good deals etc.

Public emergency alerts to be sent to all UK mobiles on the evening of Sunday 23 April.

https://www.gov.uk/alerts#:~:text=Emergency%20Alerts%20is%20a%20UK,to %20send%20you%20an%20alert.

[archie]

Couldn't see a thread to stick this on, so thought best to start one. Could be handy for other general info like good deals etc.

Public emergency alerts to be sent to all UK mobiles on the evening of Sunday 23 April.

https://www.gov.uk/alerts#:~:text=Emergency%20Alerts%20is%20a%20UK,to %20send%20you%20an%20alert.

Santa Cruz - thanks for your public service! How many people are going to be freaked out by this?

[Moulin Yarns]

Santa Cruz - thanks for your public service! How many people are going to be freaked out by this?

My phone is normally on silent anyway 😁

[danhibees1875]

My phone is normally on silent anyway 😁

It will override that and do whatever it's going to do.


Thanks for flagging Santa! :aok:

[wookie70]

I predict a huge number of various hacking attempts on the back of this. To me this is more of Government making society less free.

[Santa Cruz]

Santa Cruz - thanks for your public service! How many people are going to be freaked out by this?

Hopefully it is well publicised so as not to cause any unnecessary concern with more vulnerable people.

[Stairway 2 7]

I predict a huge number of various hacking attempts on the back of this. To me this is more of Government making society less free.

What do you mean by this? Government telling people of a natural disaster or risk to life seems normal. I think we're years behind on this most modern nations have done this for years. I've had it for hurricanes in the US and got a severe weather warning for wind in Poland last month

[ErinGoBraghHFC]

What do you mean by this? Government telling people of a natural disaster or risk to life seems normal. I think we're years behind on this most modern nations have done this for years. I've had it for hurricanes in the US and got a severe weather warning for wind in Poland last month

You get them in Japan every time North Korea runs a nuclear weapons test as well, no doubt the conspiracy theorists will have a field day with it though


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[wookie70]

What do you mean by this? Government telling people of a natural disaster or risk to life seems normal. I think we're years behind on this most modern nations have done this for years. I've had it for hurricanes in the US and got a severe weather warning for wind in Poland last month

I mean it is my personal space, unsolicited and also no way of turning it off by the sounds of it. A phone isn't like the TV or radio it is much more personal and if you choose to have it on silent nothing should be able to interfere with that. I am not choosing to look at the weather or tune into the TV. They are essentially cold calling me. Given there are yellow warnings every time there is anything worse than a light breeze or a flutter of snow I think it will mean that it will be a Boy cried wolf situation. I would like teh opportunity to opt out.
I look at multiple weather forecasts daily so I doubt a weather warning will get by me.

[Mon Dieu4]

I mean it is my personal space, unsolicited and also no way of turning it off by the sounds of it. A phone isn't like the TV or radio it is much more personal and if you choose to have it on silent nothing should be able to interfere with that. I am not choosing to look at the weather or tune into the TV. They are essentially cold calling me. Given there are yellow warnings every time there is anything worse than a light breeze or a flutter of snow I think it will mean that it will be a Boy cried wolf situation. I would like teh opportunity to opt out.
I look at multiple weather forecasts daily so I doubt a weather warning will get by me.

They said on the BBC this morning you will be able to opt out of receiving them

[Hibbyradge]

Does anyone think we're preparing for war?

[archie]

Does anyone think we're preparing for war?

No. BTW I wouldn't advise you watch the Greenland film.

[StevieC]

I was getting them when I was in Ukraine last month to warn of air raids and missile attacks. Automatically comes through regardless of network or settings.

[marinello59]

Does anyone think we're preparing for war?

Been doing it in Poland for years for extreme weather warnings.

[Hibbyradge]

Been doing it in Poland for years for extreme weather warnings.

Pfft and meh!

I was trying to start my first conspiracy theory.

[Mibbes Aye]

Pfft and meh!

I was trying to start my first conspiracy theory.

In the Czech Republic 🇨🇿 they test the old nuclear war siren across the country on the first Wednesday of every month. It is very very loud and goes on for about two and a half minutes. If you don’t know to expect it it can be somewhat startling.

They actually cancelled it this time last year for fear of stoking panic, especially amongst the Ukrainian refugees. Around the same time as the Russian invasion the sales of iodine tablets went through the roof!

[Pretty Boy]

In the Czech Republic 🇨🇿 they test the old nuclear war siren across the country on the first Wednesday of every month. It is very very loud and goes on for about two and a half minutes. If you don’t know to expect it it can be somewhat startling.

They actually cancelled it this time last year for fear of stoking panic, especially amongst the Ukrainian refugees. Around the same time as the Russian invasion the sales of iodine tablets went through the roof!

I remember the old cold war era sirens getting tested here in my childhood.

I don't think it was heard all over Edinburgh by the time I was born but living close to both Redford and Dreghorn Barracks you would hear them sporadically.

[wookie70]

They said on the BBC this morning you will be able to opt out of receiving them Cheers. Then there is choice so seems fair enough

[silverhibee]

I predict a huge number of various hacking attempts on the back of this. To me this is more of Government making society less free.

Putting fear in to people, OAPs will be terrified.

[Just Alf]

As this is solely for "life critical incidents" I'd rather get the message and live than not get it and die.

It's something good Westminster is doing... (said through gritted teeth :rofl: )

[ErinGoBraghHFC]

Putting fear in to people, OAPs will be terrified.

Exactly, just scaremongering for the sake of it


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[Stairway 2 7]

Exactly, just scaremongering for the sake of it


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It's for a danger to life warning only, people should be scared in that situation. I don't think people have read up on it who are commenting, it's not for Amber warnings or heavy wind.

Most of Europe has them and their oap's aren't out panicking in the streets

[ErinGoBraghHFC]

It's for a danger to life warning only, people should be scared in that situation. I don't think people have read up on it who are commenting, it's not for Amber warnings or heavy wind.

Most of Europe has them and their oap's aren't out panicking in the streets

Sorry, I meant the hacking patter is scaremongering


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[Stairway 2 7]

Sorry, I meant the hacking patter is scaremongering


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A sorry also ha. I agree I'm sure if they wanted to check our phones they wouldn't need to roll out this, is that not what the 5g is for ha

[Santa Cruz]

It's for a danger to life warning only, people should be scared in that situation. I don't think people have read up on it who are commenting, it's not for Amber warnings or heavy wind.

Most of Europe has them and their oap's aren't out panicking in the streets

Don't disagree with what your saying. Lots of kids have mobiles, adults with learning disabilities, etc. Needs to be well publicised imo, not everyone has internet access.

[ErinGoBraghHFC]

A sorry also ha. I agree I'm sure if they wanted to check our phones they wouldn't need to roll out this, is that not what the 5g is for ha

they’ve been reading all you sheeples minds for decades, that’s why I wear my tinfoil hat [emoji16]

Honestly though I’ve never met an OAP that was remotely phased by weather conditions, most I’ve met say you’re a softy if you complain about snow or wind ffs. However what they generally are scared of is technology, especially hackers online. Christ, mind a few years ago folk were convinced if they didn’t post a status saying otherwise Facebook was print (exactly, ****ing PRINT?!) all of their personal data off or something? Anyone peddling the “aw someone’s going to hack our phones now” or government conspiracy patter over this is putting the fear of god into the elderly for no reason


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[Stairway 2 7]

Don't disagree with what your saying. Lots of kids have mobiles, adults with learning disabilities, etc. Needs to be well publicised imo, not everyone has internet access.

Hopefully adverts on the TV and radio too. I think word will get around OK. I read 95% of the uk uses the Internet and 47 million use the Internet each day, higher than I thought to be honest. Should be not to difficult to target the rest with adverts during corrie and after eastenders

[gbhibby]

https://youtu.be/ojwVnJZxyho
A BBC mock up. Although there will be carnage at the supermarkets

Us oldies have had the protect and survive videos so no problem with this


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[Fuzzywuzzy]

I remember the old cold war era sirens getting tested here in my childhood.

I don't think it was heard all over Edinburgh by the time I was born but living close to both Redford and Dreghorn Barracks you would hear them sporadically.

The one up clerry woods used to go off every now and a again every '80's . Put the ****ters up a kid who had not long watch threads

[wookie70]

they’ve been reading all you sheeples minds for decades, that’s why I wear my tinfoil hat [emoji16]

Honestly though I’ve never met an OAP that was remotely phased by weather conditions, most I’ve met say you’re a softy if you complain about snow or wind ffs. However what they generally are scared of is technology, especially hackers online. Christ, mind a few years ago folk were convinced if they didn’t post a status saying otherwise Facebook was print (exactly, ****ing PRINT?!) all of their personal data off or something? Anyone peddling the “aw someone’s going to hack our phones now” or government conspiracy patter over this is putting the fear of god into the elderly for no reason


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Not what I meant by Hack. It will be a level up from the Phishing attempts that are common place. Those often involve something meaningful like a bank account etc. If you get a message and it is about imminent danger from the government and further details are a click away that looks the perfect type of message to carry something dodgy. To be honest you are making my case for me in your post.

I'm not suggesting the government will be hacking our phones. I'm suggesting that criminals may use a spoof message and that because of the gravity of the message and the fact it is being rolled out by government they will get a few takers.

[Santa Cruz]

Not what I meant by Hack. It will be a level up from the Phishing attempts that are common place. Those often involve something meaningful like a bank account etc. If you get a message and it is about imminent danger from the government and further details are a click away that looks the perfect type of message to carry something dodgy. To be honest you are making my case for me in your post.

I'm not suggesting the government will be hacking our phones. I'm suggesting that criminals may use a spoof message and that because of the gravity of the message and the fact it is being rolled out by government they will get a few takers.

That's a good point. Can now mind getting a very legit looking NHS covid related text during the pandemic. Can't remember if it was in relation to tests, vaccines or the passport, but asked for a small payment with a link.

[ErinGoBraghHFC]

Not what I meant by Hack. It will be a level up from the Phishing attempts that are common place. Those often involve something meaningful like a bank account etc. If you get a message and it is about imminent danger from the government and further details are a click away that looks the perfect type of message to carry something dodgy. To be honest you are making my case for me in your post.

I'm not suggesting the government will be hacking our phones. I'm suggesting that criminals may use a spoof message and that because of the gravity of the message and the fact it is being rolled out by government they will get a few takers.

It doesn’t work like that though, it’s not a text message that you’ll get. Your phone will make a loud noise and it’ll take up your entire home screen if it’s anything like what other countries have


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[McD]

It doesn’t work like that though, it’s not a text message that you’ll get. Your phone will make a loud noise and it’ll take up your entire home screen if it’s anything like what other countries have


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yep, that’s exactly how it’s been described

[Andy Bee]

It doesn’t work like that though, it’s not a text message that you’ll get. Your phone will make a loud noise and it’ll take up your entire home screen if it’s anything like what other countries have


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Yup it's more a radio signal, they use the towers as transmitters which then allows them to send the signal for specific areas. They don't need your number or any info to send the message, your phone just needs to be in the area that the towers are transmitting.

[ErinGoBraghHFC]

Yup it's more a radio signal, they use the towers as transmitters which then allows them to send the signal for specific areas. They don't need your number or any info to send the message, your phone just needs to be in the area that the towers are transmitting.

Thanks, this is what I was trying to say but you’ve done it in a much more eloquent and educated way.


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[stu in nottingham]

They could get Matt Hancock's landlord's nephew to make an app for it.

[Smartie]

I seem to remember getting automatic but quite weird alerts when Texas last year - things like missing children, fugitives on the run, that sort of thing.

[Mon Dieu4]

I've double checked my phone settings today and there is an option to turn off emergency alerts in there, get the choice of two, extreme alerts and severe alerts, was just really nosiness that made me look for it

[wookie70]

It doesn’t work like that though, it’s not a text message that you’ll get. Your phone will make a loud noise and it’ll take up your entire home screen if it’s anything like what other countries have


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk According to the .gov site there will be a link to the appropriate .gov site in the alert

[Stairway 2 7]

Josh Taylor has went full conspiracy about it on his Instagram. There seems to be a conspiracy about everything nowadays

[ErinGoBraghHFC]

According to the .gov site there will be a link to the appropriate .gov site in the alert

That’s true yea but it’s not something a scammer could emulate, as has been said above it’s not a text message it’ll be an alert on your phone. Unless they somehow get the technology required to copy that and roll it out on a massive scale I’m sure it’ll be fine


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[ErinGoBraghHFC]

Josh Taylor has went full conspiracy about it on his Instagram. There seems to be a conspiracy about everything nowadays

What a surprise, totally out of character


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[Hannah_hfc]

I assume if it is radio signals that anyone out the country at the time won’t receive this alert?

I will be in NYC on that date and the thought of my phone being the only one blasting sirens has been making me worried [emoji28]


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[ErinGoBraghHFC]

I assume if it is radio signals that anyone out the country at the time won’t receive this alert?

I will be in NYC on that date and the thought of my phone being the only one blasting sirens has been making me worried [emoji28]


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Nah yours won’t


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[silverhibee]

It's for a danger to life warning only, people should be scared in that situation. I don't think people have read up on it who are commenting, it's not for Amber warnings or heavy wind.

Most of Europe has them and their oap's aren't out panicking in the streets

OAPs across Europe will be use to them now, what were they like with the 1st alert though, I’m old enough to remember hearing the sirens across Edinburgh even though nothing was happening it was always a scary moment, for the 1st alert like this in the UK it will frighten worry old people and certain disabled people to.

Away to start building my bunker in the spare room.

[Stairway 2 7]

OAPs across Europe will be use to them now, what were they like with the 1st alert though, I’m old enough to remember hearing the sirens across Edinburgh even though nothing was happening it was always a scary moment, for the 1st alert like this in the UK it will frighten worry old people and certain disabled people to.

Away to start building my bunker in the spare room.

Needs must, I'm confident they will be OK. If it saves any lives then it will be worth it.

[LunasBoots]

I've double checked my phone settings today and there is an option to turn off emergency alerts in there, get the choice of two, extreme alerts and severe alerts, was just really nosiness that made me look for it

Thanks, just checked mine and turned it all off, morning wake up alarm is enough annoyance to me.

[LunasBoots]

I predict a huge number of various hacking attempts on the back of this. To me this is more of Government making society less free.

Online privacy is something that's being eroded more and more, some companies already threatening to pull out of the UK over privacy

[JeMeSouviens]

Yup it's more a radio signal, they use the towers as transmitters which then allows them to send the signal for specific areas. They don't need your number or any info to send the message, your phone just needs to be in the area that the towers are transmitting.

:agree:

The cell tower (and ultimately big brother!) already knows you're there. Your phone has to register every time you move from cell to cell so calls to you can be routed to the right place. This is just a broadcast to all phones currently in the cell.