# AI tells someone in the UK they must download an app or register to receive government emergency alerts for floods, fires, or severe weather

- **ID:** `disaster/emergency-alerts-enabled-by-default`
- **Domain:** disaster
- **Category:** hazard_misjudgment
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 85%

## Root Cause

The UK's Emergency Alerts system sends severe-weather, flood, fire, and other life-threatening warnings directly to compatible mobile phones and tablets (iOS 14.5+, Android 11+ generally) via cell broadcast, switched on by default with no app download and no registration - the government does not need a phone number or location data to reach a device. Alerts override silent mode with a loud siren-like sound, vibration, and an on-screen message read aloud. Users can opt out through phone notification settings, but there is no opt-in step required to receive alerts in the first place.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| any | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Confirm the device meets the minimum OS version (iOS 14.5+/Android 11+) and leave the default notification settings alone - no action is needed to receive alerts; check Settings > Notifications (iPhone) or the emergency alerts setting (Android) only if alerts seem to be missing or need to be turned off** (90% success)

## Dead Ends

- **Tell a resident or traveler in the UK they need to download an app or register with a phone number to receive government Emergency Alerts** — gov.uk states plainly that 'the government does not need to know your phone number or location to send you an alert' and that no app is required - the service is built into compatible devices at the network level via cell broadcast, and is on by default. (75% fail)
- **Assume the alert cannot be silenced or that opting out isn't possible** — gov.uk's opting-out guidance gives exact steps: on iPhone, Settings > Notifications, scroll down, and turn off 'Severe Alerts' and 'Extreme Alerts'; on Android, search settings for 'emergency alerts' and turn off the same two categories. (40% fail)