topic Re: Re: Privacy Query In Relation to The UK Goverment's Proposed Emergency SMS Syste in Mobile Services

Re: Privacy Query In Relation to The UK Goverment's Proposed Emergency SMS Syste

corriebeagle — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 13:06:03 GMT

I wish to opt out of receiving Emergency Alerts. Is this possible?

Re: Re: Privacy Query In Relation to The UK Goverment's Proposed Emergency SMS Syste

Christopher_G — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 13:40:18 GMT

You can opt out of the emergency alerts system in your phone’s settings, just search for “emergency alerts", and turn off ‘severe alerts’ and ‘extreme alerts’. You will not receive alerts if your device is turned off or in airplane mode.

However, these alerts are potentially life-saving so we recommend you keep them switched on.

Chris

Re: Re: Privacy Query In Relation to The UK Goverment's Proposed Emergency SMS Syste

miikepend — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 06:04:11 GMT

I believe he means he wants to opt out of it at your end...

Re: Re: Privacy Query In Relation to The UK Goverment's Proposed Emergency SMS Syste

Chris_B — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 07:02:29 GMT

@miikepend You turn this off within your device settings. There is no op out a network level and it’s not a text that’s sent out and phone numbers are not required for this to work as it’s a broadcast that pushed out via network masts that mobile devices pickup.

Re: Re: Privacy Query In Relation to The UK Goverment's Proposed Emergency SMS Syste

corriebeagle — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 11:42:38 GMT

I do wish to opt out at EE level but understand that I can't. I have now turned off the notifications within the device settings. There are sufficient methods of advising people in the event of an emergency (TV, radio etc) without using the mobile network.

Should my device fail to operate properly on 23rd April 2023 when I don't acknowledge an alert (which still gets through despite me turning off notifications) then i will revert to EE for an explanation.

Most people I know are attempting to disable these emergency notifications.

Thank You for your help

Re: Re: Privacy Query In Relation to The UK Goverment's Proposed Emergency SMS Syste

Diverse — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 07:56:17 GMT

But we can't op out of them being able to look at any of our SMS/MMS messages! It's in the preferences, take a look? I don't want this. What's being done by EEE to sort this. Surely it's against my privacy

Re: Re: Privacy Query In Relation to The UK Goverment's Proposed Emergency SMS Syste

Leanne_T — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 08:19:30 GMT

Hi @Diverse

The Government’s Emergency Alerts Service requires no personal information (including your telephone number, identity, or location) to be used. Its purpose is to enable emergency services to warn you about life-threatening situations in your local area, such as severe flooding and fires.

If the worst should happen, the service will use cell towers to broadcast an alert to a specific area where people’s lives are at risk.

Any compatible mobile devices in or entering that area will receive the warning message with advice on how to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Emergency alerts are one-way and do not provide any information on your location or identity. Mobile telephone numbers are not required, known, or used and no customer data is provided by EE to the Government.

For more information on how the Government’s Emergency Alerts Service works, please visit gov.uk/alerts.

Leanne.

Re: Re: Privacy Query In Relation to The UK Goverment's Proposed Emergency SMS Syste

XRaySpeX — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 22:58:13 GMT

@Christopher_G wrote:

just search for “emergency alerts", and turn off ‘severe alerts’ and ‘extreme alerts’.

Not found on a 4G mobile (only Earthquake Alerts but not supported here). Does that mean my phone won't receive them?

EDIT: OK, I've answered it myself! Mine's not Android 11!

Re: Re: Privacy Query In Relation to The UK Goverment's Proposed Emergency SMS Syste

Diverse — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 08:55:45 GMT

Tell me why they need to read my messages then? It's against my privacy, I don't want it. Explain the picture above.

Re: Re: Privacy Query In Relation to The UK Goverment's Proposed Emergency SMS Syste

James_B — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 10:06:31 GMT

Hi @Diverse,

Which phone and operating system are you using?

James

Re: Re: Privacy Query In Relation to The UK Goverment's Proposed Emergency SMS Syste

Chris_B — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 19:32:49 GMT

@Diverse No one can read the texts that are sent to your device without actually having the device to look at.

Just to point out once more this isn’t a text message it’s a broadcast that your device picks up. Think of it like this. Your TV picks up a broadcast and displays that broadcast. Your phone is doing the same thing.

There is no violation to your privacy, your GDPR, your location or anything else that links any to you.

ITS A BROADCAST AND YOUR DEVICE ONLY SHOWS THAT INFORMATION THATS BEEN BROADCASTED.

JUST LIKE A TV BROADCAST.

Re: Re: Privacy Query In Relation to The UK Goverment's Proposed Emergency SMS Syste

Chris_B — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 19:32:04 GMT

@James_B @Diverse Is using a pixel phone. And that’s an option that the end user has it doesn’t mean anyone can read the texts on the device via an emergency alert broadcasts.

@Diverse If you still think you are correct you need to contact Google about their device OS features as that’s nothing to do with EE.

EE are only making this alert service work via their network.

Re: Re: Privacy Query In Relation to The UK Goverment's Proposed Emergency SMS Syste

Diverse — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 11:06:17 GMT

Thanks for your information.

Re: texts. I still wonder why I have to give permission without an option to turn it off.

Re: Re: Privacy Query In Relation to The UK Goverment's Proposed Emergency SMS Syste

Pelepottle — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 12:36:16 GMT

me too! Anyone know how to do this on iPhone?

Re: Re: Privacy Query In Relation to The UK Goverment's Proposed Emergency SMS Syste

Katie_B — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 12:50:22 GMT

Hi @Pelepottle.

To stop these alerts on iPhone you can follow these steps:

Go to Settings > Notifications.
Scroll to the bottom of the screen.
Under Government Alerts, turn the type of alert on or off.

We do recommend keeping these switched on as the alerts could potentially be life saving.

Katie.