Latest news with #BeAware
Euronews
28-07-2025
- Euronews
Google admits its earthquake alert system failed during Turkey's quake
Google has acknowledged that its Android Earthquake Alerts (AEA) system failed to accurately warn the vast majority of people before the catastrophic earthquake that struck Turkey in February 2023, killing over 55,000 and injuring more than 100,000. Despite the potential to issue high-level alerts to 10 million people within 158 kilometres of the epicentre, only 469 'Take Action' alerts were sent out ahead of the first 7.8 magnitude quake, a risky shortfall, as this is the level of warning designed to wake sleeping users and prompt them to seek immediate safety. Instead, Google told the BBC that around 500,000 users received the less severe 'Be Aware' notification, intended only for light shaking and incapable of overriding a device's Do Not Disturb setting. The alert system underestimated the severity of the quake, initially calculating the shaking at just 4.5 to 4.9 on the moment magnitude scale, which is far below the actual magnitude of 7.8. 'We continue to improve the system based on what we learn in each earthquake,' a Google spokesperson said. The BBC's investigation following the disaster revealed that no users interviewed across the affected region had received the more serious Take Action alert before the tremors. The alert would have been especially vital given that the earthquake struck at 4:17 am local time (3:17 am CET), when most people were asleep in buildings that ultimately collapsed. While Google had previously claimed the system had "performed well", it later published research in the Science journal acknowledging 'limitations to the detection algorithms' that contributed to the system's failure. The second major earthquake that struck later that day was also underestimated, although it triggered more alerts — 8,158 Take Action and nearly four million Be Aware. After the incident, Google revised its detection algorithms and ran a simulation of the first earthquake. The updated system, had it been in place at the time, would have sent 10 million Take Action alerts and an additional 67 million Be Aware notifications, according to the company. 'Every earthquake early warning system grapples with the same challenge — tuning algorithms for large magnitude events,' Google told the BBC. Yet experts have expressed grave concern about the delay in releasing this information. 'I'm really frustrated that it took so long,' said Elizabeth Reddy, assistant professor at the Colorado School of Mines. 'We're not talking about a little event — people died — and we didn't see a performance of this warning in the way we would like.' The AEA system, available in 98 countries, operates independently of national governments and is managed directly by Google. It detects tremors through the movement of Android smartphones, which make up over 70% of mobile devices in Turkey. Google has maintained that AEA is meant to supplement, not replace, national warning systems. However, scientists worry that some countries may be overly reliant on this technology. 'Would some places make the calculation that Google's doing it, so we don't have to?' asked Harold Tobin, director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network. 'I think being very transparent about how well it works is absolutely critical.' The BBC has since asked Google how the AEA system performed during the 2025 earthquake in Myanmar, but has not yet received a response.
NDTV
28-07-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Google Admits Alert System Failure During Turkey's 2023 Earthquake
Google's Android Earthquake Alerts System (AEA) failed to accurately warn people ahead of the 2023 Turkey earthquake, which killed more than 55,000 people and injured over 1 lakh, the tech giant has admitted. The twin quakes, measuring 7.8 and 7.5 in magnitude, flattened buildings across southeastern Turkey and northern Syria in the early hours of February 6, catching millions asleep. Despite being live and operational at the time, the system underestimated the severity of the first 7.8-magnitude quake, the BBC reported. According to Google, only 469 "Take Action" alerts (its highest-priority warnings) were sent out, even though up to 10 million people within 160 km of the epicentre were eligible to receive them. Instead, around half a million users were sent a lower-level "Be Aware" warning, which is designed for light shaking and does not trigger loud alerts or override 'Do Not Disturb' settings. The system runs on Android devices, which make up over 70 per cent of mobile phones in Turkey, and is meant to detect ground movement via sensors in smartphones and quickly notify users before the strongest shaking arrives. During the quake, Google's detection algorithm estimated the shaking at between 4.5 and 4.9 on the moment magnitude scale, which was far below the actual 7.8 magnitude. "We continue to improve the system based on what we learn in each earthquake," a Google spokesperson told the BBC, after months of scrutiny. The company previously claimed the system "performed well." The quake struck at 04:17 am, when most people were asleep and unaware of the impending danger. The "Take Action" alert, which produces a loud, intrusive alarm, would have been crucial in waking users and giving them time to seek safety. But in the months following the disaster, BBC researchers were unable to find a single person in affected areas who received this critical alert before the quake hit. Google researchers later published findings in the journal Science, acknowledging "limitations to the detection algorithms." For the second large quake later that day, the system did perform somewhat better, sending 8,158 Take Action alerts and just under four million Be Aware notifications. Following the disaster, Google improved its algorithm and re-ran a simulation of the first earthquake. This time, the system would have sent out 10 million Take Action alerts and 67 million Be Aware alerts. The AEA system is now active in 98 countries, and Google claims it has been improved based on learnings from Turkey's quake.
Arab Times
12-04-2025
- Arab Times
'Be Aware' campaign aims to raise traffic awareness among youth in Kuwait
KUWAIT CITY, April 12: The Juvenile Welfare Department at the Ministry of Social Affairs, in collaboration with the General Directorate of Security Media at the Ministry of Interior, has launched the "Be Aware" awareness campaign. Coinciding with Gulf Traffic Week, the campaign aims to raise legal and traffic awareness among juveniles. The campaign was officially kicked off with its first awareness lecture on Saturday, held in the multi-purpose hall of the Juvenile Welfare Department building. The event was attended by several department officials and employees, along with parents and juvenile probation cases. The lecture was delivered by Major Musaed Al-Aslawi, Head of the Traffic Awareness Department, and Warrant Officer Hamad Al-Eidan. The session included visual and audio presentations about the new traffic law, as well as open discussions aimed at reinforcing traffic safety concepts and highlighting the dangers of unsafe road behavior. Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Social Welfare Affairs, Dr. Jassim Al-Kandari, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to protect and educate young people. He noted that the "Be Aware" campaign represents a genuine partnership between state institutions to promote both behavioral and legal values among youth. Dr. Al-Kandari further explained, "We believe that early awareness is the foundation for building a disciplined generation that is not only aware of its country's laws but also capable of making a positive contribution to the community. We greatly appreciate the role of security media and its constructive cooperation in supporting these valuable initiatives."
Sharjah 24
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Sharjah 24
Abdullah bin Amer: Accidents continue to decline in Sharjah
Podcast highlights The podcast hosted Major General Abdullah Mubarak bin Amer, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police , who discussed challenges facing the policing sector and initiatives to enhance security in Sharjah. He shared his journey in the police force, starting in 1987, and emphasised the evolving nature of police work, which requires adaptation to new criminal developments. Community safety and initiatives Major General bin Amer highlighted the commitment to community safety, noting a decrease in crime rates and an emphasis on providing a secure environment in Sharjah and the UAE. He acknowledged the guidance of Ruler of Sharjah, in shaping police strategies and prioritizing community welfare. Continuous efforts in security He mentioned ongoing initiatives, such as the "Be Aware" campaign aimed at strengthening community resilience, and "My Security is My Neighbor's Security," which fosters collaboration between citizens and police. The police also engage in community outreach through events and activities, including a desert park that attracts families and educational programs for youth. Achievements and community engagement The police have successfully recovered significant funds through initiatives like "Reconciliation is Good" and maintain long-standing programs such as "Friends of the Police," which includes various activities to develop skills among youth aged 7 to 16. These efforts underline the dedication to enhancing community relations and ensuring public safety in the Emirate.
