Phones Across UK to Become Sirens

[Rival]

So says this article,

Phones across UK to issue ‘emergency alerts’ and make ‘loud siren-like sounds’ as part of test (msn.com)

Phones across the country are to issue “emergency alerts” as part of a nationwide test, the government has said.

The test could lead devices to make a “loud siren-like sound”, the government has warned.

The tests are part of a government system that allows it to issue warnings about potential dangers or issues by sending them out to people’s phones.

The system is set to launch in summer 2021, according to the UK’s website.

“Emergency alerts will warn you if there’s a danger to life nearby,” its website says. “In an emergency, your phone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe.”

This is way too invasive for me. What do you think?

 

[Twilight Hue]

People have gone stark raving mad.

 

[Revoltingest]

So says this article,

Phones across UK to issue ‘emergency alerts’ and make ‘loud siren-like sounds’ as part of test (msn.com)

Phones across the country are to issue “emergency alerts” as part of a nationwide test, the government has said.

The test could lead devices to make a “loud siren-like sound”, the government has warned.

The tests are part of a government system that allows it to issue warnings about potential dangers or issues by sending them out to people’s phones.

The system is set to launch in summer 2021, according to the UK’s website.

“Emergency alerts will warn you if there’s a danger to life nearby,” its website says. “In an emergency, your phone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe.”

This is way too invasive for me. What do you think?

Imagine that some horrible threat loomed.
People not warned suffered horribly.
Survivors would cry....
"Why didn't government plan for this
with some kind of warning system!!!!"

 

[ADigitalArtist]

I don't mind it really. We already have something similar for amber alerts, but natural disasters like fires in this area are becoming more common here and having an emergency alert not dependent on local broadcasting might get people out of evacuation zones faster.

 

[idea]

So says this article,

Phones across UK to issue ‘emergency alerts’ and make ‘loud siren-like sounds’ as part of test (msn.com)

Phones across the country are to issue “emergency alerts” as part of a nationwide test, the government has said.

The test could lead devices to make a “loud siren-like sound”, the government has warned.

The tests are part of a government system that allows it to issue warnings about potential dangers or issues by sending them out to people’s phones.

The system is set to launch in summer 2021, according to the UK’s website.

“Emergency alerts will warn you if there’s a danger to life nearby,” its website says. “In an emergency, your phone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe.”

This is way too invasive for me. What do you think?

My phone already gets amber alerts, you can hear all the phones in a store start beeping when one comes through. Tornado warnings, or just knowing a firetruck is behind you on the freeway. I can see where my kids and spouse are at any moment, the bank stops cyber attacks against me from knowing my spending habits. Advertising on my phone is often relevant and helpful. Cops can quickly track people down... the innocent can easily show their whereabouts...

For those with nothing to hide, transparency is a good thing... so long as stalkers are kept at bay.

 

[Brickjectivity]

This is way too invasive for me. What do you think?

We already get these here on our mobiles. They are called 'Amber alerts'. Its not a siren but is a loud noise, and it either warns about a sighting of a child abductor or a natural disaster.

***edit***
we can turn these off

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

So says this article,

Phones across UK to issue ‘emergency alerts’ and make ‘loud siren-like sounds’ as part of test (msn.com)

Phones across the country are to issue “emergency alerts” as part of a nationwide test, the government has said.

The test could lead devices to make a “loud siren-like sound”, the government has warned.

The tests are part of a government system that allows it to issue warnings about potential dangers or issues by sending them out to people’s phones.

The system is set to launch in summer 2021, according to the UK’s website.

“Emergency alerts will warn you if there’s a danger to life nearby,” its website says. “In an emergency, your phone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe.”

This is way too invasive for me. What do you think?

How is it invasive?

We have this here. This past weekend, all our phones went off for the tornado warning.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

So says this article,

Phones across UK to issue ‘emergency alerts’ and make ‘loud siren-like sounds’ as part of test (msn.com)

Phones across the country are to issue “emergency alerts” as part of a nationwide test, the government has said.

The test could lead devices to make a “loud siren-like sound”, the government has warned.

The tests are part of a government system that allows it to issue warnings about potential dangers or issues by sending them out to people’s phones.

The system is set to launch in summer 2021, according to the UK’s website.

“Emergency alerts will warn you if there’s a danger to life nearby,” its website says. “In an emergency, your phone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe.”

This is way too invasive for me. What do you think?

I'm thinking of the issues that it will create for people doing surveillance, robbery or stalking. Hard to sneak around when you have a potential siren in your pocket. Think of the potential impact on surprise birthday parties.

 

[Rival]

How is it invasive?

We have this here. This past weekend, all our phones went off for the tornado warning.

Well, the first thing I'd think is that what's wrong with normal sirens? They seem to work just fine. I'm not aware of any issues with them.

We are living our lives according to technology and I honestly can't stand it. The whole world seems to want access to my private device, to know where I am and what I'm doing.

I am not comfortable with that.

 

[Stevicus]

So says this article,

Phones across UK to issue ‘emergency alerts’ and make ‘loud siren-like sounds’ as part of test (msn.com)

Phones across the country are to issue “emergency alerts” as part of a nationwide test, the government has said.

The test could lead devices to make a “loud siren-like sound”, the government has warned.

The tests are part of a government system that allows it to issue warnings about potential dangers or issues by sending them out to people’s phones.

The system is set to launch in summer 2021, according to the UK’s website.

“Emergency alerts will warn you if there’s a danger to life nearby,” its website says. “In an emergency, your phone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe.”

This is way too invasive for me. What do you think?

Reminds me of a time I was in the store and an Amber Alert was issued. I could hear different people's phones giving off the emergency tone.

I can just imagine how it would be on a national scale.

But then there's also a question of what constitutes a true alert. I've had TV shows interrupted for "special bulletins" that didn't seem all that vital or urgent.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Well, the first thing I'd think is that what's wrong with normal sirens? They seem to work just fine. I'm not aware of any issues with them.

We are living our lives according to technology and I honestly can't stand it. The whole world seems to want access to my private device, to know where I am and what I'm doing.

I am not comfortable with that.

Are you worried about where the line will be drawn? I could see your concern with that, but I don't really see warnings of danger as crossing it.

 

[Rival]

Are you worried about where the line will be drawn? I could see your concern with that, but I don't really see warnings of danger as crossing it.

Yes, basically.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Yes, basically.

I agree with your concerns about that. Though I do not have an issue with the example in question, since a similar system is in place here in the US.

 

[SigurdReginson]

Hmmm... There really is no privacy left in the information age. Those in power own us through our devices for sure.

Due to the patriot act (at least in this country) the CIA and whoever else already have the ability to record and track the things we say and do. Not only that, but companies also gather and utilize people's personal information. I remember a couple years ago when it got out that the Chinese government was using Hwawei and ZTE phones to record people, though folks still bought their phones anyways. This is a trend that is definitely not going to go away any time soon.

 

[Vee]

So says this article,

Phones across UK to issue ‘emergency alerts’ and make ‘loud siren-like sounds’ as part of test (msn.com)

Phones across the country are to issue “emergency alerts” as part of a nationwide test, the government has said.

The test could lead devices to make a “loud siren-like sound”, the government has warned.

The tests are part of a government system that allows it to issue warnings about potential dangers or issues by sending them out to people’s phones.

The system is set to launch in summer 2021, according to the UK’s website.

“Emergency alerts will warn you if there’s a danger to life nearby,” its website says. “In an emergency, your phone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe.”

This is way too invasive for me. What do you think?

Sometimes I take public transportation and there is always some idiot listening to music on loud speaker. Normally it's one of those aggressive "my life sucks and I'm mad at the world" rap songs. If you add sirens to that I might end up in the psychiatry ward.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

So says this article,

Phones across UK to issue ‘emergency alerts’ and make ‘loud siren-like sounds’ as part of test (msn.com)

Phones across the country are to issue “emergency alerts” as part of a nationwide test, the government has said.

The test could lead devices to make a “loud siren-like sound”, the government has warned.

The tests are part of a government system that allows it to issue warnings about potential dangers or issues by sending them out to people’s phones.

The system is set to launch in summer 2021, according to the UK’s website.

“Emergency alerts will warn you if there’s a danger to life nearby,” its website says. “In an emergency, your phone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe.”

This is way too invasive for me. What do you think?

We already have that hear. Amber alerts, national emergency broadcasts, the most eerie was just after my first earthquake, rumbling over, ceiling lamp still swinging, and suddenly everyone's phone started buzzing to alert us to what we'd already went through.

Well, the first thing I'd think is that what's wrong with normal sirens? They seem to work just fine. I'm not aware of any issues with them.

I can't say for there, but a lot of places here don't have sirens. Like Kokomo, Indiana, the city officially has not even a single tornado siren despite it seeing regular tornadoes.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Well, the first thing I'd think is that what's wrong with normal sirens? They seem to work just fine. I'm not aware of any issues with them.

When we did have sirens, there were lots of issues.

They're expensive to set up and maintain, were prone to failure, and they were useless for anyone out of earshot.

Except for certain specific cases (e.g. the evacuation sirens around nuclear power plants), I haven't seen any here since the end of the cold war.

We are living our lives according to technology and I honestly can't stand it. The whole world seems to want access to my private device, to know where I am and what I'm doing.

I am not comfortable with that.

AFAIK, these systems don't actually involve collecting any data about your location.

I believe the way they work is that the cell tower just tells every phone in range to set off an alert. AFAIK, it's a one-way thing. I don't believe any information is flowing from your phone to the tower.

 

[PureX]

So says this article,

Phones across UK to issue ‘emergency alerts’ and make ‘loud siren-like sounds’ as part of test (msn.com)

Phones across the country are to issue “emergency alerts” as part of a nationwide test, the government has said.

The test could lead devices to make a “loud siren-like sound”, the government has warned.

The tests are part of a government system that allows it to issue warnings about potential dangers or issues by sending them out to people’s phones.

The system is set to launch in summer 2021, according to the UK’s website.

“Emergency alerts will warn you if there’s a danger to life nearby,” its website says. “In an emergency, your phone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe.”

This is way too invasive for me. What do you think?

After the sirens "cry wolf" a few times and nothing happens, everyone will ignore it. It will becomes yet another annoying and unwanted intrusion intent on telling us what to do.

 

[Stevicus]

I wonder if I could get a ringtone that sounds like this.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

As others have said, we get emergency alerts on our phones here, but not sirens. With Amber alerts, your phone flashes and buzzes. This was a nice souvenir from the civil unrest last year. (Of course I went right Downtown after seeing that. Lol.)