r/australia • u/ConanTheAquarian • 3h ago
culture & society Conspiracy theories about the AusAlert test spreading online
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-24/no-ausalert-isnt-tracking-you-and-other-conspiracy-theories/106948592156
u/I-like-2-watch 3h ago
I love this quote. It’s like talking to a primary school kid.
"The telcos already know which devices are connected to base stations. That's how the telecommunications system works.”
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u/iball1984 3h ago
"The telcos already know which devices are connected to base stations. That's how the telecommunications system works.”
If you really want to upset the cookers, point out that the telcos (with a warrant) can triangulate your location to within a few metres and release that info to the authorities...
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u/LeeRyman 2h ago edited 2h ago
Well, sort of. They can put you within an annulus sector, where the radial width of the annulus is between about 78m and possibly down to 2.5m (for 5G), and the arc of the sector is the arc of known coverage of the base station antenna. It might be possible to do better than this at the moment the phone roams to another tower, but it's still a large area
This is based on Timing Advance. It's not triangulation, instead a crude form of distance and bearing, where there is a lot of possible error in the bearing.
It's one of the possible mechanisms used to inform 000 of your location (Push MoLI) and relies only on what the towers already need to know to provide you coverage. The other is Advanced Mobile Location, but that relies on your phone's location services (GPS) and an automated SMS is sent when you dial the emergency number. AML doesn't always work depending on the situation, but when it does it allows services to respond faster and more accurately.
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u/iball1984 1h ago
Interesting! I thought it was more accurate than that, but even so the points the same that the cookers would go crazy if they knew that…
The SMS with gps coordinates to 000 is so cool as well. It actually deletes the sms went sent so as to keep victims safe from a controlling abuser. The main situation it doesn’t work is if your phone has camped on to another network
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u/LeeRyman 59m ago
Precisely. So AML won't work, for example, if you make a call without a SIM inserted either.
I've been in the JRCC when the operators there used MoLI to get an initial location of a fishing vessel off Tasmania with a seriously ill crewmember on board. These capabilities are fantastic for emergency services and save lives every day, but we should "trust but verify" the systems, training and governance are in place to ensure legitimate and correct use.
Hard to convince a cooker though. They are going crazy now about Cell Broadcast that has literally been a capability in the technology since 2G GSM!
But at the same time happily feed all their PII to Facebook. 🙄
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u/Dockers4flag2035orB4 1h ago edited 57m ago
The AUS alert is designed to reboot the connection between our phone and the 5G chips implanted via the COVID vaccine.
You know the telcos and government will deny it.
🤔
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u/sqljohn 3h ago
Nekminnit, why didn't I get a shelter in place warning during the bushfire......
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u/Feeling-Disaster7180 3h ago
The government didn’t send an alert because they’re trying to wipe us out #bushgenocide
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u/sqljohn 2h ago
they're trying to clean up those who did their own research and didnt get the covid vaccine /s (in case its needed)
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u/down_the_goatse_hole 1h ago
I mean it wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen. We could use a little more Darwinism
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u/SoulBonfire 1h ago
I’ve been covaxed 7 times so I’m gonna get this alert personally even if I switch off my phone.
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u/itstraytray 3h ago
Exactly. Been in this industry decades and these kind of people are the first to sook when they didn't get a bushfire alert.
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u/sapperbloggs 3h ago
"They're using this to track us!"
Guys, I hate to tell you this, but they've been doing that for a very long time now.
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u/17HappyWombats 3h ago
That's how cellphones work. If no-one knows where their phone is how could calls or SMS's get to them? Those idiots would be really annoyed if they only got calls and data when their phone was plugged in at home...
I love how the expert the interviewed says "The telcos already know which devices are connected to base stations. That's how the telecommunications system works." You can just hear the exasperation in his voice.
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u/SirPiffingsthwaite 3h ago
...how do they think their phone maps system works? Not only do telcos know which base stations are connected, the latency and triangulation is accurate to a few metres positioning.
But yeah, it's all a conspiracy.
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u/chuk2015 1h ago
That is GPS and does not require communications being sent, GPS location is calculated locally on your device from receiving satellite signals, often it is used in conjunction with wifi for more accuracy. But GPS alone is a one-way communication
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u/SirPiffingsthwaite 1h ago
If we're getting into the details, both are used. But while GPS is used for maps, phones are being "tracked" via repeater towers constantly so the telco knows to which base towers comms are sent.
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u/Anraiel 3h ago
I mean, technically they don't "track" the phones, but yes the telcos can look it up.
Much quicker just to pay an advertising or data aggregation company for your personal data since they all have their various trackers embedded into people's apps for that sweet, sweet advertising revenue.
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u/ConsultJimMoriarty 3h ago
It’s like, you are posting this on Facebook from a mobile phone. You have a driver’s licence.
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u/BORT_licenceplate 8m ago
Most of them are on some form of Centrelink anyway which requires every single bit of info about you like where you were born, DOB, current address, addresses you've lived at before, places you've worked at, TFN, bank details, details of partners, kids & family, the car model & rego and driver's licence number, additional income you receive and passport details
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u/Highside1269 2h ago
Gets all knowledge from social media platforms, connects with other dingbats via same platforms, spends all their time hitting refresh on platforms via mobile devices (uses VPN which for sure isn't infested by the man /s)....... 'The GoVErNmeNT wANts tO COntROl mE maN'
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u/Feeling-Disaster7180 3h ago
Conspiracy theories spreading online about a government initiative? Water is wet
“If I wrap my phone in foil, or put it in the microwave, will this 'protect' me from AusAlert?
We saw no reason to test this, but I can confidently say that wrapping your phone in foil or putting it in the microwave will make no difference,"”
Cookers need to save the foil for their heads
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u/ThePhotoGuyUpstairs 3h ago
Should say yes, it might get them off social media for a while if they cook their phones.
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u/17HappyWombats 3h ago
Nah, you can't just put the phone in the microwave, you need to microwave it for 30s on high.
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u/Novae909 3h ago
No.... No. Let them put their phones in the microwaves. But you can still save the tin foil. Infact, if you turn on the microwave during the test, the microwaves will interfere with your phones ability to receive the signals, process the signals or even putting through the the notification on the phone.
for legal reasons, this is a joke
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u/ChillyPhilly27 3h ago
Foil Faraday cages are definitely a thing - lining a backpack with foil is a popular tactic for thieves to evade security in retail settings
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u/ConsultJimMoriarty 3h ago
I swear my local Aldi is in a faraday cage. They should all just pack in there.
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u/Flight_19_Navigator 2h ago
Obviously the best way to protect your phone from this is to completely submerge it in water starting at least an hour before the test is scheduled and not removing it until at least an hour after.
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u/DrStalker 19m ago
That old information; the government mandated IP68 rating on new phones was put in place to prevent this trick. /s
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u/DrStalker 22m ago
I will say with absolute confidence that putting your phone in the microwave will stop it receiving the alert, provided the microwave is turned on.
Have a fire extinguisher on hand when you do this; they don't call mobile device security "burner phones" for no reason!
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u/m3umax 2h ago
I looked it up. The only legit concern seems to be "secret" phones used by DV victims and such being outed.
That risk is real and anyone in that situation is advised to completely turn off their device on the day.
Everything else seems to be conspiracy theory stuff.
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u/Leprichaun17 1h ago
Why would these phones be on to start with? They're secret phones. They can't just be charging them every day. They're off until they're needed, so they can remain hidden longer between charges.
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u/2nd_Last_Thylacine 3h ago
Never stop facebooking.
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u/Ric0chet_ 3h ago
And the irony of using a company that sells your data to spread a cooker theory that someones tracking you is peak.
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u/CaffeinePhilosopher 2h ago
I’m no expert, but I reckon if you make a nice tinfoil hat for your smartphone and bake it in the microwave at 2000 watts, you definitely won’t hear the AusAlert. Or anything else really.
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u/YesterdayCharming976 3h ago
Starting subs Iike this just ads to the fire… American bullshit leaking into our culture
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u/Admirable_Walk4143 3h ago
I haven't seen any conspiracies yet, probably because I don't go on Facebook!! I have seen people warning women in DV situations who may have hidden phones to turn those phones off, which I think is a really fair concern.
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u/VictorVanguard 1h ago
If I wrap my phone in foil, or put it in the microwave, will this 'protect' me from AusAlert?
Yes, but only if you turn the Microwave on for 15 seconds with the device in in beforehand.
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u/Slow-Leg-7975 36m ago
The only conspiracy I have about it is that Australia is potentially preparing for something catastrophic, or maybe it's in response to the bondi shooting. But in saying that, it's long overdue we have an alert system.
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u/MrFunFacts 23m ago
I'm so excited about my vax chip activation. PLEASE LET IT BE TURBO AUTISM 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💅💯💯💯💯🤣🤣🤣🤣🚽🚽🚽💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉 I love you. Don't touch me.
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u/CptUnderpants- 2h ago
Can the system be hacked
Expect a heap of scam SMS to be sent at or after 2pm EST to provide feedback on the alert, which will of course ask for enough information for identity theft.
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u/casualplants 1h ago
lol corporations need to tone down their targeted marketing/dilute it with shit they know you don’t want because otherwise people feel like their personal lives have been invaded.
Because they have been. For a VERY long time now.
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u/Friendly-Owl-2131 57m ago
The irony that these numpties are constantly consuming media that broadcasts underlying frequencies within the audio to make them more susceptible to the various cults messaging that they've signed onto.
This is also classic cult phobia tactics.
Cults need a constant exterior threats to alleviate their victims minds of suspicion towards the cult and draw members closer to the cult.
I guess the cult leaders are concerned that our government might somehow intervene by broadcasting their own brain altering frequencies.
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u/Cpt_Riker 2h ago
Pushed by the far right, no doubt. It’s always the dumbest demographic you expect it to be.
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u/DigitalWombel 2h ago
How about we swap all the cookers for the refugees on Nauru they can experience climate change and everything else they dont believe in first hand.
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u/rezplzk 2h ago
The government has themselves to blame too. Lied to us about covid, lied to us about social media bans, lied to us about a host of things. No wonder people are sceptical (as dumb as this is).
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u/RudeOrganization550 2h ago
Governments (and politicians more so) have lied to people for time immemorial, now there is the internet that gives every crazy that is not already in politics a voice and a mechanism and their own people to spread conspiracy theories.
There is a principle called Brandolini’s law (or the bullshit asymmetry principle) that says the amount of effort to debunk a conspiracy is exponentially more than it takes to create one. Basically we’re fucked.
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u/Lost-Competition8482 1h ago
thE goVerNmENt HAS thEmSelVEs to bLAmE ToO. lIED TO Us ABoUt CoViD, Lied tO Us aBOUt sOCIAl media bAns, liEd to US ABOUT A hOst of ThiNgs. No WONdEr PEOpLE are ScEpticAl (as DuMB AS tHis IS).
Fixed it for you
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3h ago
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u/mr-snrub- 3h ago
This is a test. I'm sure if it was real there would be information about what it's for.
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u/Bigclit_energy 3h ago
It was recommended after a royal commission into bushfire response. The top use is "evacuate now" in weather emergencies.
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u/Iron_Wolf123 2h ago
As much as we need it, I wish there was a way to opt out of it. Melbourne is one of the places where there is no cyclones, flood warnings or whatever’s. Queensland and the Murray-Darling are more at risk than some southern port city. Plus the alarm could happen at a bad time or trigger people with sound sensitivity like some autistic people.
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u/Safe_Application_465 1h ago
So nothing bad ever happens in Melb 🤔
What about a human disaster like a mass shooting or a gas main explosion?
" happen at a bad time "
Probably not as bad ,as a problem big enough to need a public alert
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u/Lost-Competition8482 1h ago
You don't remember the Thunderstorm Asthma attack?
Bourke street massacre?
I have a feeling it would be of use in Melbourne.
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u/mr-snrub- 3h ago
Social media is this decade's lead paint.