French authorities have today released an app in both French and English that will warn users of terrorist attacks in the country. The app, which is called SAIP, and stands for "Systems d’Alert et d’Information au Population" – or Alert and Information System for Population, will alert geo-located users "in case of a suspected attack", the interior ministry said in a statement (in French).
The app was developed after the November attacks in Paris, which killed 130 people and earmarked to be ready by the start of the Euro 2016 tournament, which starts on Friday. It can be downloaded for Android and iOS; there is no Windows phone offering.
Users will have to agree to be "geolocated" and will then receive silent alerts for eight different "geographical zones" in addition to their present location. Alerts will offer a brief description of what has happened, and advice on how users can stay safe. The app will not cause the phone to vibrate or make any noise, so as to not giveaway a persons location in the event of an attack.
The French government further stressed that users' privacy will be protected, and added that future updates for the app beyond Euro 2016 will include flood warnings and industrial accident alerts.
The British Foreign Office warned yesterday that stadiums, fan zones and transport hubs were possible targets for attack during the football tournament.
Source: BBC| Image via Sky Sports
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