Google’s “Earthquake Alerts System” has been disabled in Brazil following a false alarm that warned users of a potential 5.5 magnitude earthquake. The system, introduced in 2020, detects seismic waves using smartphone sensors to provide early alerts. Google is investigating the incident and has apologized for any inconvenience caused to its users.
Google temporarily disabled its “Earthquake Alerts System” in Brazil following a false alarm that occurred early in the morning. This system, introduced in 2020, utilizes sensors on modern Android smartphones to detect initial seismic waves of earthquakes, providing early warnings to users. Although the system has had some successes, such as alerting residents during a quake in the Philippines, it has also faced criticism for failures during significant events, including a devastating quake in Turkey in 2023.
In summary, Google has paused its “Earthquake Alerts System” in Brazil due to a false alarm that affected users nationwide. The company is currently investigating the incident while reaffirming that this system is meant to complement official alert mechanisms, not replace them. The duration of the suspension remains uncertain as Google aims to enhance its service.
Original Source: 9to5google.com
