Domestic violence advocates warn AusAlert system could put regional women at increased risk
Advocates warn that Australia's new 'AusAlert' emergency system, which overrides mobile privacy settings, could endanger domestic violence survivors who rely on hidden 'safe phones.' Authorities are urging users to power down these devices during a scheduled test to avoid detection by abusers.
Why it matters
This highlights a critical conflict between public safety technology and the privacy needs of vulnerable populations in domestic abuse situations.
The mobile phone notification was sent to phones in Goomalling. ( ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Eliza Bidstrup. )
Women in regional areas impacted by domestic violence could be at a higher risk as the country rolls out a new emergency alert system that would ping all phones, including safe phones.
The AusAlert system, used to send messages during disasters and emergencies, can override privacy settings.
Women with safe phones are being told to switch them off before and after the test alert on July 27.
Link copied Share Share article Women experiencing domestic violence in remote and regional areas could be disproportionately impacted when a nationwide emergency alert system is rolled out, advocates warn.
AusAlert will send messages to mobile phones during local and national disasters, with the critical alert level able to override privacy settings.
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