A new UK emergency alert test that was thought to be happening today has caused widespread confusion thanks to a government website ‘error’, following a trial of the system last weekend.
The government tested its new ‘Armageddon alarm’ system at 3pm on Sunday 23 April, at which point phones (well, most of them) were sent a message and accompanying alert siren.
But just two days later, some people were left thinking there would be a round two after spotting a notice on the government website, which said a service test was due to take place ‘today’.
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Titled ‘Tuesday 25 April 2023’, the notice said: “There will be a service test of the UK Emergency Alerts system today.
“Most mobile phones and tablets will not get a test alert.”
It added that the alert would say: “This is a mobile network operator test of the UK Emergency Alerts service. You do not need to take any action. To find out more, visit gov.uk/alerts."
It was believed that not everyone would receive the supposed test alert, with the website reportedly saying people would only get them if they had an ‘older Android phone or tablet with operator test alerts turned on’.
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Posting a news story about the second test, one person wrote: “Urgent please share... Second emergency alert test today.”
Someone else said: “Government to test UK Emergency Alert system again today, but not all phones and tablets will be notified. Perhaps to see if Sunday's error which saw numerous residents go without has been rectified.”
But the government later confirmed that a second test would not be taking place, despite reports.
In a statement, the Cabinet Office said: “There are media reports claiming the Government is testing the Emergency Alerts system again today.
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"This is completely untrue. There are no plans to test the system again.”
Responding to the statement on Twitter, many people shared their confusion.
Posting a screenshot from earlier today, one simply replied: “???" while someone else said: “Why the hell did the website display it then.”
And a third added: “It is important to keep people on edge, disorientated and fearful. Good work.”
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A Cabinet Office spokesperson also told ITV News that it was down to 'a website error' and the information has since been removed from the website to avoid any further confusion.
Indeed, the government website now says ‘there are no current alerts’, explaining: “Emergency Alerts is a UK government service that will warn you if there’s a danger to life nearby.
“In an emergency, your mobile phone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe.”
Topics: UK News
Jess Hardiman