'Earthquake Network' draws backlash once again: False notification wakes thousands from their sleep

Following the February 6 earthquakes, the use of earthquake tracking applications in Turkey has increased significantly. The Earthquake Network app, which has been downloaded by more than 10 million people on Android and iOS platforms, continues to remain in the spotlight due to this growing user base.

FALSE NOTIFICATION PANIC

Earthquakes measuring 4.3 and 3.5 occurred in the Sındırgı district of Balıkesir last night at 01:10 and 01:14, respectively. However, the notification sent to millions of users by the Earthquake Network app indicated an estimated magnitude of 5.5. This situation woke users from their sleep and led to intense reactions on social media.

SOCIAL MEDIA BACKLASH

Users shared the panic and discomfort they experienced due to the app's incorrect notifications on social media. Some of the reactions are as follows:

“Earthquake Network sends notifications at the wrong times; I am about to lose my mind.”

“You don't send notifications for earthquakes I actually feel, but you send a 5.5 notification for one that isn't felt.”

“It wasn't felt at all in Bursa, but Earthquake Network woke everyone up with a loud alarm, even though notifications were turned off!”

“I am deleting the Earthquake Network app; it constantly sends audible notifications, I am more afraid of it than the earthquake itself.”

“Get well soon of course, but you are causing everyone to panic in the middle of the night by sending a 5.5 notification when the earthquake was 4.3.”

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME

The Earthquake Network app's habit of sending false notifications is not new. Previously, on the night of June 12, it reported a 3.5 magnitude earthquake as 4.7 and faced similar reactions.

News Source: 12punto