On millions of phones, the UK will test an emergency alert system today.

The nationwide system, which was designed after comparable programmes in the United States, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, and the Netherlands

Attempts to alert the public if there is a danger to life nearby, but it has drawn criticism for being too "nanny state"-like in its intrusion.

On Sunday, the UK will test a new emergency alert system for the first time, with millions of mobile phones primed to vibrate and emit a loud alarm at 3 o'clock (1400 GMT).

message will say: "This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby."

The World Snooker Championship organisers have instructed players to pause shortly before to the alarm, while the Society of London Theatre has instructed members to ask spectators to switch off their phones

Drivers have been warned not to pick up their phones during the test, and people who do not wish to receive the alerts can opt out in their device settings.

The government will invade our privacy and violate our mobile phones at 3 p.m. on Sunday by sending out its ridiculous emergency test signal. The idea is both frightening and tedious.

CHECK OUT TRENDING STORIES