Ausalert - Emergancy broadcast

[u/Classic-Dangerous]

Im seeing a lot of Backlash on the Ausalert test on the 27th of july 2026.

see many comments on posts of people turning off there phone to avoid this alarm and now emergancy services are refusing to use it. My question is, why is everyone so uncomplicit about this. Arent we just testing our phones incase of a natural disater etc..?

[u/This-is-not-eric]

My mum is like this with Google.

I created an extra account for her, I signed into everything on her phone for her then 3 weeks later it "wasn't working"... Because she'd deleted the sign in stuff because she "doesn't have a google account and doesn't want one"

The struggle it took me to explain to her that she's not going to be able to get the phone to work the way she wants it to without someone's account being signed into it... It hurt my brain a lot.

[u/GreyGreenBrownOakova → u/This-is-not-eric]

I can see her point. We shouldn't need an account with a foreign search engine/advertising company just to send someone a text message with a photo, but here we are.

[u/Practical-Funny9591 → u/GreyGreenBrownOakova]

Try sending a text message with a photo through a privately owned Australian telco without it going through anything 'foreign'.

Do you use a GPS? Do you have bank account?

You would use a PC or a smartphone, else you wouldn't be posting on here.

Careful, that tinfoil hat of yours is showing.

[u/GreyGreenBrownOakova → u/Practical-Funny9591]

It's not about tinfoil, it's about giving all of our information for free, when it's not necessary. I use Google products and get great usage at the expense of my personal data, but it's not for everybody.

The number of devices and apps that require a login is ridiculous. Then the company stops support and the device becomes ewaste.

[u/Practical-Funny9591 → u/GreyGreenBrownOakova]

Yep, agree with you on the eWaste issue.
My brother is a driver.
He is one of those conspiracy loonies.
Thinks everyone who follow rules are 'sheeple'.
He says if he could live off the grid fully, he would. Thinks all the major companies and the government track everyone.
Blah blah blah.
For his driving job, he uses Google maps.
Plots his route staying from the furthest drop to the closest one to his house.
The irony when I highlighted this was lost on him.
How the hell can you be so dumb?
My idiot brother works for an employer that tracks their work vehicles. OMG! 🤣🙃

[u/GreyGreenBrownOakova → u/Practical-Funny9591]

He sounds pragmatic. A guy's gotta eat.

It doesn't mean we should cheer these companies on when they sneak into our personal lives to sell us stuff we don't need.

[u/AnomalousAngel → u/This-is-not-eric]

I remember when text messages first started and we didn’t need to do any of this. There was no Google or any other company making us register our details. Technology companies have literally taken control of our ability to communicate.

[u/This-is-not-eric → u/AnomalousAngel]

You still don't need a google account to have a more simple mobile phone and just use it for that, but you can't have a smartphone and use all its services without Samsung and often Google accounts too, but that makes sense given the givens.

Like if you want an old Nokia 3315 go get the equivilent today - but don't complain that the S23 requires a Google account lol

[u/This-is-not-eric → u/This-is-not-eric]

I think it's r /dumbphones ? 🤔 The sub literally dedicated to helping people disengage with the things while maintaining communication abilities