Google's earthquake alert system failed to warn millions during 2023 Turkey disaster
Google's Android Earthquake Alerts system failed to properly assess the severity of the February 2023 Turkey earthquakes, sending high-level warnings to only 469 people instead of the 10 million who could have received them. The system underestimated magnitude and provided inadequate alerts despite being active at the time, potentially costing critical seconds of warning time to the millions affected by the 55,000+ deaths and 100,000+ injuries that resulted.
What happened
Google's Android Earthquake Alerts system underestimated the severity of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck southeast Turkey on 6 February 2023. Ten million people within 98 miles of the epicentre could have received Google's highest level alert, providing up to 35 seconds of warning to find safety, but only 469 'Take Action' warnings were sent for the first quake.
Approximately half a million people received a lower-level warning designed for 'light shaking', which did not alert users as prominently as the highest-level alert. The system, which operates on Android devices that comprise more than 70% of phones in Turkey, was active and live on the day of the earthquakes but failed to properly assess earthquake magnitude.
Reported impact
More than 55,000 people died and more than 100,000 were injured when two major earthquakes hit southeast Turkey on 6 February 2023. Many were asleep in buildings that collapsed when the tremors hit, and earlier warning could have provided critical seconds to reach safety.
Index analysis
Google previously told the BBC that the system had 'performed well' after an initial 2023 investigation, but this assessment proved inaccurate. The system's failure to generate appropriate warnings demonstrates a fundamental issue with how the AI assessed earthquake magnitude and translated it into alert decisions.
Governance controls
Google stated, 'We continue to improve the system based on what we learn in each earthquake.' The Android Earthquake Alerts system is operated by Google globally and operates in just under 100 countries, functioning as the sole early warning system in many regions.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.