Google Suspends Earthquake Detection in Brazil Following False Alerts

Google has disabled its earthquake detection feature in Brazil after users received false alerts of a 5.5 magnitude earthquake. The notifications, sent at 2 AM, incorrectly pinpointed events in Ubatuba and Baixada Santista. The Civil Defense of São Paulo stated no warning was issued, prompting Google to investigate the malfunction.

Google has temporarily deactivated its earthquake detection feature in Brazil following a series of false alarms that occurred on Friday. Numerous smartphone users in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro received notifications of a supposed 5.5 magnitude earthquake at approximately 2 AM. These alerts inaccurately identified earthquake activity in Ubatuba and Baixada Santista regions, leading to confusion among residents.

In light of the incident, Google is investigating the cause behind these erroneous notifications. The earthquake detection system, which employs Android devices’ accelerometers as a form of seismometer, was initially launched in California in 2020. It has since expanded its reach to several other countries, including Brazil.

The Sao Paulo Civil Defense, responsible for managing disaster alerts, confirmed that it did not issue any warnings related to the alleged earthquake and there is no record of a seismic event in the state. This contradiction has raised questions regarding the reliability of Google’s earthquake detection system in the region.

In conclusion, Google has halted its earthquake detection system in Brazil following a significant false alarm that misled many smartphone users. The company is currently investigating the incident. Despite its successful implementation in other regions, this occurrence highlights the need for reliability in emergency alert systems, especially in areas prone to seismic activity.

Original Source: www.theverge.com