Wildfire phone alert was 'entirely appropriate', government says
The UK government is defending a nationwide emergency mobile alert regarding wildfire risks, despite criticism from domestic abuse charities. Advocates argue the unannounced alert endangered victims who rely on secret phones to escape abusive situations.
Why it matters
It highlights the tension between public safety infrastructure and the unintended consequences for vulnerable populations who require digital privacy.
Image source, PA Media Image caption, The alert was sent to mobile phones across England and Wales last Friday
The government has defended its decision to send an emergency phone alert warning of wildfires across England and Wales last week as "entirely appropriate".
Millions of mobile phones bleeped with a "severe alert" notification on Friday, stating there was a "very high risk of wildfires nationally".
The lack of advance warning for the alert was criticised by charities and domestic abuse survivors , who said there was little chance to protect those hiding secret phones.
The prime minister's official spokesperson said on Monday the first duty of government was to "keep people safe" and the alert had been sent "after a direct request from fire and rescue services on the front line".
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