Google’s Earthquake Alerts System Criticized After Failing Millions in Turkey

In the aftermath of Turkey's catastrophic earthquakes, Google has admitted that its Android Earthquake Alerts system fell short, only notifying a fraction of the population who could have been warned. This has sparked concerns regarding the reliability of such technological safety measures.

Google has come under fire for its failure to adequately alert millions of people during the catastrophic earthquakes that struck Turkey in February 2023. The company's earthquake early warning system, designed to offer timely notifications, sent out significantly fewer alerts than necessary, leaving ten million individuals within 98 miles of the quake’s epicenter without the information they needed to seek safety.

The first of the two major earthquakes registered a severity of 7.8 magnitude, yet Google's system was only able to issue 469 "Take Action" alerts at the time. In comparison, half a million people received a less urgent warning that was tailored for minor seismic activity, which was not as effective in prompting immediate action.

Following the disaster that claimed over 55,000 lives and caused injuries to more than 100,000 people, Google had previously stated that its alert system performed well. However, an investigation revealed that the system had underestimated the quake's magnitude, causing it to fail in its primary function of saving lives. Google’s Android Earthquake Alerts (AEA) operates globally and is a vital resource, especially in regions lacking formal warning systems. The system leverages data from Android devices, which represent more than 70% of mobile phones in Turkey.

Despite its high stakes, the system’s shortcomings became evident when reports surfaced that no one in the affected regions reported receiving the high-priority alerts before the tremors hit, emphasizing a significant gap in its effectiveness. Google's analysis in the scientific journal ’Science’ highlighted the development limitations of their detection algorithms, acknowledging the underestimation of the initial earthquake's severity.

After the disasters, adjustments were made to the algorithm, which simulated the earthquake again, resulting in 10 million "Take Action" alerts being dispatched to users at direct risk, along with 67 million notifications for those further away. Elizabeth Reddy, an assistant professor at the Colorado School of Mines, expressed frustration over the time taken to reveal the system's underperformance, noting that the failures led to preventable loss of life.

Experts are also voicing concerns that reliance on technology could lead some regions to forego developing their national alert systems, potentially exposing citizens to undetected disasters. As Google continues refining its detection technology, the effectiveness of AEA raises questions about its role and reliability when lives are on the line.

As investigations into the Turkey earthquakes continue, questions remain regarding how Google’s system performed during another recent seismic event in Myanmar in 2025, to which the company has yet to respond. This situation highlights the urgent need for thorough testing and transparency concerning technological safety frameworks in seismic zones.