Millions of phone alerts are set to go off at the same time this month – as fresh warning is issued it could be dangerous for vulnerable women
A women’s advocacy group has warned those in domestic violence situations to beware the upcoming national alert trial could set off hidden emergency phones.
The Queensland Women’s Legal Service shared the warning on Friday ahead of the AusAlert mass notification, set to go off on July 27.
On that day, all compatible mobile phones in test areas will receive a notification from the new national emergency alert system, AusAlert.
The service warned the alert could bypass a phone’s silent and ‘do not disturb’ settings.
‘If you feel unsafe or are concerned about your personal safety, including in situations of domestic and family violence, it’s important to consider how emergency alerts may affect you and take steps that support your safety,’ it said.
‘Be aware that Critical Alerts may sound even if your phone is on silent. Critical Alerts won’t sound on Aeroplane mode or a device that is switched off.
‘Because Critical Alerts cannot activate on a device that is switched off, if it is safe to do so, consider turning off a device before a scheduled test and only turning it back on once the test period has ended.’
AusAlert’s national test will be held on the afternoon of July 27 ahead of it going live in October.
People with hidden devices, including those in domestic violence situations, have been warned an upcoming national alert test could set off their alarms
The new system, AusAlert, will send out a mass notification as part of testing on July 27
Areas involved in the test on July 27 include Liverpool for NSW, Queanbeyan between NSW and the ACT, Duffy for the ACT, Cooya Beach, Newell and Wonga Beach for Queensland, Geelong for Victoria, Port Lincoln for South Australia, Goomalling for WA, Launceston for Tasmania and Tennant Creek for the NT.
The alert will be sent out at 2pm in the ACT, NSW, Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria.
South Australia and the NT will receive the notification at 1.30pm and WA mobile phone owners will get it at 12pm.
Those in affected areas will be advised about the test before the alert is activated. No action is required following the test alert.
The system will allow authorities to share alerts about urgent warnings and disasters to all mobile phone owners in affected areas.
Situations that could trigger alerts include natural hazards, public safety and security threats, biosecurity incidents and other national events.
Alerts will include information about emergencies, where they are happening, how serious the threat is, instructions and where to find more information.
The technology behind the system is already being used by more than 30 countries and is being introduced in Australia following a 2020 Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements.
Several areas already underwent early testing of the system this month.
