Google has admitted that its Android Earthquake Alerts (AEA) system failed to issue crucial warnings ahead of the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck southeast Turkey on 6 February 2023. The twin quakes resulted in the deaths of over 55,000 people and left more than 100,000 injured.
Despite the system being live and operational, only 469 of Google’s highest-level “Take Action” alerts were sent outn alerts that are specifically designed to wake users even in Do Not Disturb mode and prompt immediate safety measures. An estimated 10 million people living within 98 miles of the epicentre could have received this life-saving notification. Instead, half a million people received the less urgent “Be Aware” alert, intended only for light shaking.
Google initially told the BBC that the system had “performed well,” but has since acknowledged the AEA underestimated the earthquake’s strength, calculating its magnitude between 4.5 and 4.9 instead of the actual 7.8. The second major quake later that day also suffered from misjudgment, though 8,158 “Take Action” and nearly four million “Be Aware” alerts were issued.
The system’s failure, particularly given the early morning timing of the quake when most people were asleep, has drawn widespread criticism. Google researchers cited “limitations to the detection algorithms” and said improvements have since been made. In simulations using updated algorithms, the same event would now trigger 10 million “Take Action” alerts and 67 million “Be Aware” alerts.
Experts argue the delay in disclosing the system’s shortcomings is deeply concerning. “People died, and we didn’t see a performance of this warning in the way we would like,” said Elizabeth Reddy, an assistant professor at the Colorado School of Mines.
While Google maintains that AEA is meant to supplement not replace national warning systems, some scientists fear governments may over-rely on tech solutions that are not yet fully proven.
The BBC has asked Google how AEA performed during the 2025 Myanmar earthquake, but no response has been received.
