The French government has created a smartphone app designed to send warnings directly to people’s phones in the event of a bombing, shooting or other disaster. Available in English and French, the app can be configured to receive an alert if an attack occurs near the user. In the event of a terrorist bombing or shooting, the smartphone screen turns crimson and displays the word “ALERT”, a brief description of what is happening and advice on how to react. The app was initially configured to alert only on armed attacks and bombings, but officials plan to update it so that it can flag industrial accidents, floods and other emergencies. Two days before the Euro 2016 football tournament opens in France amid a high police and military presence, the French interior ministry unveiled its alert app called Saip (Système d’alerte et d’information des populations), which was developed after last November’s coordinated terrorist attacks across Paris killed 130 people.

Source: The Guardian June 08, 2016 10:29 UTC