Google has suspended its Earthquake Alerts System in Brazil after a false alarm caused confusion among users. The system, operational since 2020, uses smartphone sensors to detect seismic activity and provide early warnings. The company is investigating the incident and has apologized for the inconvenience, emphasizing its commitment to enhancing the alert system’s reliability.
In Brazil, Google has temporarily disabled its “Earthquake Alerts System” on Android following a widespread false alarm that occurred last night. The system, launched in 2020, utilizes sensors in Android smartphones to detect the first seismic wave, enabling early earthquake warnings. Despite its successes, such as alerting residents in the Philippines, there have been significant failures, including a lack of alerts during a devastating earthquake in Turkey earlier this year.
The incident on February 14th triggered alerts around 2 AM local time, falsely warning users of a possible earthquake in the region of up to 5.5 on the Richter scale. Although the cause of this false alarm remains unclear, Google has stated it is actively investigating the matter. In a company statement, they explained that the system’s efficacy is based on user-generated data to estimate vibrations, stressing it is not intended to replace official alert services.
Due to the disruption caused by this false alarm, Google has decided to disable the system in Brazil while further investigations are conducted. The duration of this suspension is currently unknown. Google expressed its apologies for the inconvenience caused and reaffirmed its dedication to enhancing its alert capabilities, ensuring they function as intended in the future.
In conclusion, Google has temporarily disabled its Earthquake Alerts System in Brazil after a false alarm raised concerns among users. This incident highlights both the potential and limitations of the technology, which aims to provide timely earthquake warnings using smartphone sensors. As investigations proceed, Google has committed to improving the reliability of its system and minimizing future disruptions.
Original Source: 9to5google.com
