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A Failed Promise: Google’s Warning System Falters in Turkey
In 2023, Google’s highly touted Android Earthquake Alerts (AEA) system failed to properly notify people during Turkey’s devastating earthquakes. Despite over 10 million people living within 98 miles of the epicenter, only 469 “Take Action” alerts—Google’s most urgent level—were issued for the initial 7.8 magnitude quake. The majority received only lower-tier notifications that don’t override silent mode or wake users.
What the Public Got—and What They Missed
Google admitted that half a million people were sent a “Be Aware” alert, designed for minor tremors. Unlike the “Take Action” alert, this lower-level warning doesn’t override Do Not Disturb settings or display prominently. In Turkey—where over 70% of mobile phones run Android—this shortfall may have cost lives, especially since the quake struck at 4:17 AM, when people were asleep in collapsing buildings.
A Global System with Local Gaps
Google’s earthquake alert system is available in nearly 100 countries, pitched as a “global safety net” for regions without national early warning infrastructure. Importantly, AEA is operated solely by Google, not individual governments. In this case, the responsibility for accurate warnings—and the failure—rests with the company itself.
Algorithm Fixes Too Late for Many
In the months after, Google researchers conducted simulations of the same event using updated algorithms. The results showed a dramatic improvement: 10 million “Take Action” alerts and 67 million “Be Aware” alerts would have been sent out under the revised system. Google acknowledged the challenge of tuning systems for large-magnitude events, admitting that “each earthquake teaches us something new.”
Experts Sound the Alarm on Delays and Transparency
Seismology experts have voiced concern about the time it took to disclose what went wrong. Elizabeth Reddy, an assistant professor at the Colorado School of Mines, expressed frustration that the flaws took over two years to fully understand. Others, like Harold Tobin of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, warned that some governments may be overly reliant on corporate-run systems without full transparency or public accountability.
A Work in Progress Amid Future Risks
Google insists AEA is meant to supplement, not replace, national systems. Yet the reliance on a proprietary tool raises questions about responsibility, performance, and preparedness. Post-2023, the company claims improvements have been made and alerts have since gone out in 98 countries. Still, as of now, Google has not responded to inquiries about how AEA performed in the 2025 Myanmar earthquake, leaving questions about its current reliability unresolved.
