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April 18, 2023
On Sunday 7th September 2025, the UK government will be testing the Emergency Alert system. At 3pm, mobile phone users across the UK will receive a message on the home screen of their device. Phones will also play loud siren-like sounds and vibrate – this will last for around 10 seconds.
This test is to ensure these alerts can be sent with no technical issues, as a previous test in 2023 revealed issues like people receiving the alert early or some users not receiving any alert at all.
The test is part of the government’s Emergency Alert system which warns people in the U.K. if there’s a danger to life nearby. This could be extreme weather conditions or even a terror attack. Many other countries around the world have implemented the scheme, including France, America, and Japan.
The system will be used by emergency services, government departments, agencies and public bodies that deal with emergencies.
Source: gov.uk
Potential Safety Risks of Emergency Alerts
Domestic abuse charities warned previously that the system could potentially endanger victims by alerting abusers to hidden phones. However, the government stresses that emergency alerts should remain on but have published a guide for domestic abuse victims on how to opt out.
The government will run a public information campaign ahead of the test to notify the public that it will be happening. This campaign will target vulnerable groups, such as victims of domestic abuse. The campaign will also feature products in British Sign Language.
For anyone who is concerned about their safety, the Government have created a guide for opting out of emergency alerts.
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