topic Re: GDPR in Security

GDPR

julia1967- — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 09:42:14 GMT

How has EE been able to provide my private mobile phone number to the Alert system on April 23rd? This breaks the rules of GDPR????

Re: GDPR

Christopher_G — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 10:46:13 GMT

Hi @julia1967-

The system uses the cell tower your phone is connected to. When an alert is triggered, all towers in the area will broadcast the alert. To do this the Government does not need to know the specific location or personal data on your device.
Chris

Re: GDPR

julia1967- — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 10:57:58 GMT

Doesnt answer my question.

What is the pre-text agreement about if not utilising our personal mobile numbers?

Re: GDPR

Mustrum — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 12:04:52 GMT

@julia1967- perhaps the Government website will help you understand that your number is not needed.

Your personal data

The emergency services and the UK government do not need your phone number to send you an alert.

https://www.gov.uk/alerts/how-alerts-work

Re: GDPR

julia1967- — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 12:19:25 GMT

What happens to the data for those who choose to not get the alert? The GPS data will show a differential for those potential devices that could receive the alert and then those who dont on the day? These are surely statistics that the Gov will want you to provide? They will want to know the percentage of those on 2G and 3G as a means of contacting them in a different way will they not?

Re: GDPR

James_B — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 12:27:42 GMT

Hi @julia1967-,

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.

James

Re: GDPR

julia1967- — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 12:33:01 GMT

So as far as EE are aware, the opt out is to change your settings on your phone or downgrade to a 3g device. There is no text exchange involved.

Re: GDPR

James_B — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 12:47:14 GMT

Hi @julia1967-,

Please see How emergency alerts work - GOV.UK for information on opting out.

James

Re: GDPR

bristolian — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 12:49:19 GMT

@julia1967- wrote:

or downgrade to a 3g device.

The 3G network is in the process of being switched off, and this will complete by the end of 2024. If you choose to not use the 4G functionality on your phone, then you will be using 2G - this has very limited data capability.

Re: GDPR

julia1967- — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 12:55:35 GMT

Yep...thanks Im aware of all. Just want EE to answer a direct question.

Re: GDPR

bristolian — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 13:01:01 GMT

These alerts are not using SMS text messaging technology, they are via cell-broadcast.

The link to gov.uk posted above is worth a read.

Re: GDPR

julia1967- — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 20:32:34 GMT

I do not want this alert to be send to my nearest tower via a cell-broadcast. If you cannot prevent this, what is the “legal basis” for sending me SPAM on behalf of the government? It is SPAM as it is unwanted and unwelcome and it will cause me alarm and distress as well as an interruption to my life by the state.

I request a reference number for this complaint.

Re: GDPR

bristolian — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 20:35:42 GMT

This is not a means to register complaints, it's just a user discussion forum.

The EE complaints process is set out at https://ee.co.uk/help/help-new/safety-and-security/protecting-your-information/complaints-code-of-practice although given this is a UK-government scheme, you are likely to be wasting your time with this,

Complaints against government policy should be directed at your local MP.

Re: GDPR

julia1967- — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 20:40:59 GMT

Wasting time..okay..Good to know what complicit network providers think of this.

Re: GDPR

Mustrum — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 20:57:33 GMT

@julia1967- you appear to be ignoring any advice given by fellow customers on this public forum, but let me remind you that the control is something you can do via your phone:

How do I opt out of government alerts?

You can opt out of the 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.

Think about this as an equivalent to the old air raid warning system, but updated with the ability to report and provide you with more detailed information in the event of a major issue that is due to happen in your local area.

It is just a test, nothing to worry about, just ignore it of you don't like it. Talk to your MP if it makes you feel better.

Re: GDPR

Chris_B — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 21:18:51 GMT

@julia1967- Just to point out this is a means to an end and that end you have control off by turning this off within your device settings.

This is just a test this and could eventually lead to the saving of lives ( perhaps you don’t care about that) You do understand that don’t you?. The network ( all networks) are only making sure that this test at present is going to work. No private information is required for this to work as it’s a signal that’s just pushed out that your device picks up and give you that information.

I’ll put it another way

Say a child is kidnapped this is a way to inform an area to be aware of that incident and be able to report it to the police should anyone see anything. That’s just one possible usage for this. Do you want more possible reasons why it’s a good thing ?

Re: GDPR

julia1967- — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 21:21:07 GMT

Let’s hope these switch off instruments are spread far and wide to encompass situations like those who need a hidden phone as they endure domestic violence at home and have to keep this phone hidden …god forbid it goes off with this alarm and it is discovered….

Re: GDPR

XRaySpeX — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 00:05:43 GMT

@julia1967- wrote:

I do not want this alert to be send to my nearest tower via a cell-broadcast.

You can't prevent that. It is for the good of all the peeps in that area, not just "couldn't care less" peeps like you 😞 . You can only stop it coming to your own phone by settings on it.

Re: GDPR

Chris_B — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 07:13:37 GMT

@julia1967- You case has no merit. It seems the word troll is becoming appropriate.

I get the feeling you are happy to accept some sort of social media update pushed out your phone via Facebook or Twitter or TikTok or something like it. But something that’s actually useful you’re going to complain about it.

Re: GDPR

Leanne_T — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 11:01:11 GMT

Hi @julia1967-

If you would like help turning the alerts off on your device settings, please let us know the device you are using and we can help you further.

You can also visit How emergency alerts work - GOV.UK for information on opting out.

Leanne.