Google has disabled its Earthquake Alerts System in Brazil after a false alarm was issued early in the morning. The system, which uses smartphone sensors to detect earthquakes, mistakenly alerted users to a potential seismic event. Google is investigating the cause of the false alarm and has suspended the system in Brazil pending this investigation.
Google’s Earthquake Alerts System for Android has been temporarily disabled in Brazil following a false alarm issued in the early morning hours. This system, which was launched in 2020, uses smartphone sensors to detect seismic activity by recognizing the initial ‘P-wave’ of an earthquake, providing several seconds of early warning before more destructive waves arrive. While the system has successfully issued warnings in some cases, it has also experienced notable failures, including during a recent earthquake in Turkey, although Google asserts the system functioned correctly in that instance.
On the morning of the false alarm, users across Brazil received notifications indicating the possibility of an earthquake measuring up to 5.5 on the Richter scale. Google has not yet clarified the specific cause of this erroneous alert, which appears to have stemmed from the detection of cellphone signals near São Paulo’s coast. In response to this incident, Google announced the immediate suspension of the alert system in Brazil and is conducting an investigation to pinpoint the issue.
In a statement, Google emphasized that the Earthquake Alerts System is designed to supplement, but not replace, official earthquake alert systems. The company expressed regret for the confusion caused by the false alarm, assuring users that they are committed to enhancing their earthquake notification tools moving forward. As of now, the duration of the system’s suspension in Brazil remains uncertain.
In conclusion, the temporary suspension of Google’s Earthquake Alerts System in Brazil was prompted by a false alarm that affected numerous users. Although the system is designed to offer timely alerts based on smartphone data, this incident highlights potential vulnerabilities in its operation. Google is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the false alert, and the company remains dedicated to improving the reliability of its earthquake alert mechanisms.
Original Source: 9to5google.com
