The government has launched a new emergency alert system, which will cause mobile phones to emit a siren-like sound in response to national crises, such as extreme weather.
On Sunday, 23 April, there will be a national test of the service, meaning that 90% of all phones in the UK will emit a loud notification – even if they are switched to silent mode. Mobile phone users will then receive a message that reads:
"This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.
"In an actual emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.
"Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information.
“This is a test. You do not need to take any action.”
Some domestic violence charities have expressed concerns about the test alarm, pointing out that many people in abusive relationships have secret mobile phones which they can use without their partner knowing or monitoring their calls.
Sharon Bryan, Head of Partnerships and Development at the National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV), notes, “Hidden second mobiles are an emergency lifeline for victims and survivors living under the constant threat of abuse, or worse. This siren test may unexpectedly reveal their presence to abusers – with disastrous consequences.”
She adds: “Many people will know nothing about the planned emergency alert system. But those who are victims/survivors of domestic abuse may be shocked and terrified to hear their ‘secret’ phone suddenly going off. For some, this may lead to further abuse and violence.”
How will the emergency alerts work?
According to GOV.UK, the emergency alarm works on all 4G and 5G phone networks in the UK. “In an emergency,” the website reads, “mobile phone masts in the surrounding area will broadcast an alert. Every compatible mobile phone or tablet in range of a mast will receive the alert.”
The alerts will still work if your phone or tablet is not connected to mobile data or WiFi.
According to the government, your phone will not receive an alert if it's turned off or in AirPlane mode; connected to a 2G or 3G network, is WiFi only, or is not compatible.
What if I don't want to receive the alerts?
“We are trying to reach as many victims/survivors with second phones as we can to alert them to the risk of their phones being revealed by the test – and to urge them to turn off the alerts on their secret second phones, before Sunday 23rd April," says Sharon Bryan.
"If people are unsure as to whether an alert will sound on an older mobile, we say they should switch it off until the following day if they feel safe to do so.”
The NCDV provides the following recommendations for those with secret phones:
How to turn off Emergency Alerts on Apple devices
How to turn off Emergency Alerts on Android devices:
For more information about emotional abuse and domestic violence, you can call The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247.
If you're worried someone might see you have visited this page, the Women's Aid website tells you how to cover your tracks online.
For more from Glamour UK's Lucy Morgan, follow her on Instagram @lucyalexxandra.
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