Google’s earthquake alert system underestimated the 2023 Turkey quake, sending limited warnings and missing critical alerts for millions.

Google has admitted that its earthquake early warning system failed to properly alert people during the deadly 2023 earthquake in Turkey. Google's highest-level alert, which gives up to 35 seconds to find safety, may have been delivered to 10 million individuals within 98 miles of the epicentre.

Rather, for the initial 7.8 magnitude earthquake, only 469 "Take Action" alerts were sent. According to Google, half a million individuals received a lower-level warning that is intended for "light shaking" and does not notify users as conspicuously. In the past, the IT giant assured the BBC that the system “performed well”.

Over 70% of phones in Turkey run on Android, making them compatible with the warning system. On February 6, 2023, two powerful earthquakes rocked southeast Turkey, leaving over 100,000 people injured and over 55,000 dead. Many individuals were asleep when the tremors happened, and buildings all around them crumbled.

Google’s early warning system was active during the earthquakes, but it underestimated the intensity of the shaking. A Google spokesperson claims that they continuously improve the algorithm by taking into account the lessons they discover from every earthquake.

The Android Earthquake Alerts (AEA) has sent notifications in 98 nations, and Google researchers claim that post-event analysis has enhanced the system even further. Google has yet to reply to the BBC's question regarding how AEA performed during the 2025 earthquake in Myanmar.