Google’s Earthquake Alerts Failed When Lives Depended on It

The keyword earthquake alerts has come under sharp scrutiny after Google admitted its Android Earthquake Alerts (AEA) system failed during the deadly February 2023 earthquakes in Turkey. The system was active but misjudged the disaster’s severity, leaving millions without proper warning as tens of thousands lost their lives.

Alarms That Came Too Late

At 4:17 AM, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Turkey. Google’s AEA system, designed to detect seismic activity using smartphone sensors, responded—yet it issued just 469 “Take Action” alerts. These are the system’s highest-level warnings, intended to override phone settings and wake users before major shaking begins.

However, the alert didn’t reach most people in danger. According to Google, around 10 million people were within the alert zone. Only half a million received the lower-tier “Be Aware” notification, which doesn’t bypass silent modes and is typically reserved for mild tremors. As a result, many residents remained asleep when the first quake hit.

Detection Errors Blamed

In a study published in Science, Google researchers admitted the AEA system severely underestimated the earthquake’s strength. While the actual magnitude was 7.8, the system’s algorithm assessed it as between 4.5 and 4.9—a major miscalculation. The second powerful quake that day was also underestimated, though it triggered more alerts.

Internal simulations conducted after the disaster revealed what might have been. With the current upgraded detection model, the system would have sent 10 million “Take Action” alerts and 67 million “Be Aware” notifications. But those improvements came too late for the victims of the 2023 quake.

Read: Instagram AI Glitch Sparks Chaos in Friend Lists

Transparency Delayed, Trust Shaken

A two-year delay in acknowledging the failure has raised eyebrows. The BBC’s investigation found no record of users in the quake-hit area receiving the life-saving “Take Action” alerts. Critics argue this delay may have undermined public trust in Google’s promises.

“People died,” said Elizabeth Reddy, a disaster technology expert at the Colorado School of Mines. She called the lack of early transparency “really frustrating.”

Harold Tobin, director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, emphasized the need for clear communication. “Being transparent about how well it works is critical,” he said, warning that misleading claims could lead countries to ignore investment in their own seismic alert infrastructure.

Global Safety Net or False Security?

Google markets AEA as a global safety net, now deployed in nearly 100 countries. It complements—but does not replace—national earthquake warning systems. Yet experts fear that nations may grow over-reliant on corporate solutions, neglecting the development of locally managed networks that can provide faster and more accurate alerts.

This incident revealed the limitations of AEA, especially in areas without strong public warning systems. The Turkish disaster highlighted the stakes of this reliance. When algorithms failed to grasp the quake’s magnitude, millions were left unprotected.

Myanmar Quake Raises New Questions

In 2025, a strong earthquake rocked parts of Myanmar. So far, no confirmation has emerged about how well the AEA system performed during that event. The BBC has reached out to Google for comment, but no official response has been received.

Critics argue that continued silence about system performance during recent disasters further undermines the credibility of AEA. Public safety, they say, demands more openness.

Improvements Underway, But Risks Remain

Google insists that each seismic event helps improve its system. Engineers now update algorithms to better estimate magnitude and deliver alerts faster. However, experts stress that lives could still be lost if flaws are not communicated promptly.

The idea of turning smartphones into personal seismic sensors is ambitious—and potentially revolutionary. Yet the events in Turkey serve as a tragic reminder that flawed technology can do more harm than good when people trust it blindly.

Until alert systems like AEA can consistently provide accurate warnings, experts urge countries to focus on building national-level networks with proven reliability. Corporate tools can help, but they cannot be the first—or only—line of defense.