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

[corriebeagle]

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

[Christopher_G]

Hi @corriebeagle 

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

[miikepend]

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

[Chris_B]

@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.  

[corriebeagle]

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

[Diverse]

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 

[Leanne_T]

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.

[XRaySpeX]

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@Christopher_G wrote:

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

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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!

[Diverse]

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

[James_B]

Hi @Diverse,

Which phone and operating system are you using?

James