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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Technology
Samuel Gibbs Consumer technology editor

How to disable UK emergency alerts on your phone

New government emergency alert screengrab.
The emergency alert system will cause phone to make a siren-like noise even if they are on silent. Photograph: NCSC

The the UK’s emergency alert system is due to be tested at 3pm on Sunday 23 April, causing all 4G and 5G-capable mobile phones in the country to make a loud siren-like sound even if they are placed on silent.

The alerts are designed to notify the public of life-threatening emergencies, but there are cases where the test could expose hidden mobile phones and put people at risk of domestic abuse or put others in danger.

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