Twitter’s
recent launch of Twitter Alerts to users in the UK and Ireland was covered widely
in the mainstream media (see here and here). The system allows
users to receive information from trustworthy organisations “during
emergencies, natural disasters or moments when other communications services
aren’t accessible” (this is how it works). Twitter
Alerts also come with a warning that that they do not
replace other channels of distributing critical emergency information. In the UK,
organisations providing alerts through Twitter includes police forces, ambulance
services, the Environment Agency, the Mayor of London and the British Red Cross
(the full list is here).
