GDPR

[julia1967-]

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????

[Christopher_G]

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

[julia1967-]

Doesnt answer my question.

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

[Mustrum]

@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 

[julia1967-]

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?

[James_B]

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
 

[julia1967-]

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.

[James_B]

Hi @julia1967-,

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

James

[bristolian]

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@julia1967- wrote:

 or downgrade to a 3g device.

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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.

[julia1967-]

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