The tech that warns millions in seconds and the risk that comes with it
Experts say when people receive too many warnings, especially for events that do not directly affect them, they begin to tune them out.
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In fact, most experts agree that India has built something commendable -- a nationwide emergency communication system capable of reaching millions of people within seconds. Such systems are used in countries like Japan, where earthquake risk is higher, and Israel, where security threats are likely.
However, the bigger question Delhi-NCR residents are asking is whether a channel designed for disasters and life-threatening emergencies should be used so frequently for routine weather advisories.
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The result is a growing concern among experts: alert fatigue. The term refers to a simple behavioural phenomenon. When people receive too many warnings, especially for events that do not directly affect them, they begin to tune them out.
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He warns that emergency alerts are specifically designed to interrupt daily life because they are meant for situations where safety is at immediate risk. "When the same mechanism is used too frequently for non-emergency communication, there is a genuine risk of creating alert fatigue."
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