Google's Earthquake Warning System Fails in Turkey: Lack of Alerts Raises Concerns for Public Safety
A BBC investigation reveals that Google's earthquake warning system failed to reach residents in Turkey before a deadly earthquake, raising concerns about its effectiveness and transparency. Despite claims of millions of alerts sent, no concrete evidence or testimonials support this. Experts emphasize the need for transparency and accountability in life-saving systems. Google should take the lead in enhancing the system to protect vulnerable communities.
Google's earthquake warning system failed to reach many residents in Turkey before February's deadly earthquake, according to a BBC Newsnight investigation. The system, which is designed to provide up to a minute's notice before an earthquake hits, relies on Android phones and was supposed to send alerts to millions before the quake.
However, the BBC's survey of hundreds of people in the affected areas found no one who had received a warning. This raises concerns about the system's effectiveness and transparency, especially considering the potential impact on public safety and lives. The earthquake in Turkey was highly lethal, causing over 50,000 fatalities.
The initial major 7.8-magnitude earthquake was followed by another significant tremor. While a limited number of users reported receiving a warning for the second quake, none received an alert before the first and most powerful quake hit.
Google's Android Earthquake Alert System works by analyzing data from multiple Android phones, which have built-in accelerometers capable of detecting shaking. By pinpointing the epicentre and estimating the strength of the quake, the system can send a warning when it detects an earthquake of magnitude 4.5 or higher.
The warning prominently displays on users' phone screens and is accompanied by a loud alarm. Despite Google's claim that millions of alerts were sent before the earthquake in Turkey, the BBC investigation found no concrete evidence or testimonials supporting this claim. The absence of widespread reports on social media about the alerts also raised concerns.
Google's product lead on the system, Micah Berman, defended its functionality but did not provide evidence that the alerts were widely received. Experts emphasize the importance of transparency and accountability for a system that aims to provide life-saving information.
The failure to deliver warnings during a significant earthquake raises questions about the system's reliability and its potential impact on major seismic events. Google, as a prominent technology company, should take the lead in enhancing the transparency and effectiveness of its earthquake alert system to protect vulnerable communities in seismic zones.
