Government proposes direct emergency alerts to phones without an app

The government has proposed changing the emergency warning law so alerts could also be sent through the Cell Broadcast system, Yle reports.

The technology would allow warnings to be delivered quickly and within a defined geographical area to phones in the danger zone, without requiring a separate application.

The Emergency Response Centre Agency would be required to distribute emergency alerts through the new system. It would supplement existing warning channels.

The amendments are intended to take effect at the beginning of November. The new warning system has previously been estimated to be completed by 2027 at the latest.