Overview
- Local, geo-targeted Priority-alert trials are underway with a 10-second siren-like tone used in Liverpool on Wednesday to test how alerts reach compatible phones in specific locations.
- Priority alerts are designed for high-level threats and will not override silent or Do Not Disturb settings while Critical alerts are reserved for imminent danger and will override those settings.
- A nationwide Critical-alert test is scheduled for 2pm local time on Monday 27 July to verify override behaviour and wider compatibility before the planned October rollout.
- AusAlert will send near-real-time, location-specific warnings to most mobile phones and some smart watches and tablets, and it can also deliver a spoken message to landlines.
- Advocates warn the loud test tone could expose secret or safety phones used by people fleeing domestic violence and urge extra precautions as officials work to identify technical issues and raise awareness.