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Google Has Quietly Been Detecting Earthquakes by Sensing Rumbling in Android Phones For Years
Futurism ^ | Aug 2 2025 | Noor Al-Sibai

Posted on 08/03/2025 6:00:31 AM PDT by Openurmind

Google has for years been harnessing the power of its Android smartphones to detect and measure tens of thousands of earthquakes.

In a new paper published in the journal Science, researchers from the search giant described how they used motion sensors from its two billion-strong network of phones running Android between the years 2021 and 2024 to detect and alert quakes to users in almost 100 countries around the world.

Known as "Android Earthquake Alerts" (AEA), this early warning system has uses the smartphones' accelerometers to detect telltale vibrations as they happen and inform residents of quakes in their areas. With its two-tiered severity levels — the weaker "be aware alert" for lower-magnitude quakes that sends typical push notifications, and the more pressing "take action alert" for moderate or extreme shakes that issues a loud beeping alarm that overrides "Do Not Disturb" settings — Google boasts that it has warned of more than 11,000 quakes.


TOPICS: Computers/Internet; Science
KEYWORDS: android; catastrophism; cellphones; computers; earthquake; earthquakes; eruption; eruptions; google; internet; iphone; phones; quake; quakes; science; technology; volcano; volcanoes
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Constant sensor monitoring without our permission. Cameras and Microphones too. Next up WiFi RF X-Ray through walls...
1 posted on 08/03/2025 6:00:31 AM PDT by Openurmind
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To: Openurmind

Every time you fart, they know.


2 posted on 08/03/2025 6:05:09 AM PDT by Telepathic Intruder
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To: Telepathic Intruder

They know more about you than you do.


3 posted on 08/03/2025 6:07:06 AM PDT by rllngrk33 (The soap box and ballot box have failed, it's really close to time for the bullet box.)
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To: Telepathic Intruder

Wait until you see what I am posting next. It gets worse... Folks just do not realize how advanced the spy tech really is now.


4 posted on 08/03/2025 6:11:08 AM PDT by Openurmind (AI - An Illusion for Aptitude Intrusion to Alter Intellect. )
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To: Openurmind

I like my free Android Google phone Xfinity delivered free. I have no problem if Google spies on me. I got nothing to hide.


5 posted on 08/03/2025 6:17:30 AM PDT by Bobbyvotes (TERM LIMITS is the ONLY WAY to get rid of corrupt career politicians. )
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To: Telepathic Intruder

A smell sensor is needed for accurate data.


6 posted on 08/03/2025 6:24:43 AM PDT by Colt1851Navy (What was wrong with riminalNixon?)
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To: Openurmind

Babylon Bee future headline.

Google causes earthquake by sending message to all Android phones to vibrate at the same time.


7 posted on 08/03/2025 6:26:20 AM PDT by tired&retired (Blessings )
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To: Bobbyvotes

“I got nothing to hide.”

Then why are you wearing clothes in that picture?

Post your social security number, bank account number, Phone number, address, and your mother’s maiden name.

What’s your Freerepublic.com password?

Is there no chance you’ll get arrested when your phone rats you out for doing something you didn’t know (or even did know) was illegal?


8 posted on 08/03/2025 6:33:36 AM PDT by KrisKrinkle (c)
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To: Bobbyvotes

I don’t think anyone is surprised that you have such a stance.


9 posted on 08/03/2025 6:34:41 AM PDT by jacknhoo (Luke 12:51; Think ye, that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no; but separation.)
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To: Bobbyvotes

“I like my free Android Google phone Xfinity delivered free. I have no problem if Google spies on me. I got nothing to hide.”

Nothing is free... It is always bait on a hook. So you are willing to give up all your Constitutional rights of individual privacy to a Mega-Corporation just for a free phone? It is the principle of the concept not whether you have anything to hide or not. That was the same ignorant line everyone stated when the patriot act was passed. And now because of that capitulation we have almost lost all of our Constitutional rights because “I got nothing to hide”. Give an inch and they will take a mile.


10 posted on 08/03/2025 6:36:36 AM PDT by Openurmind (AI - An Illusion for Aptitude Intrusion to Alter Intellect. )
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To: tired&retired

“Google causes earthquake by sending message to all Android phones to vibrate at the same time.”

Lol... Very good, I had not considered that possibility...


11 posted on 08/03/2025 6:38:12 AM PDT by Openurmind (AI - An Illusion for Aptitude Intrusion to Alter Intellect. )
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To: Openurmind

What constitutional right of individual privacy?


12 posted on 08/03/2025 6:38:50 AM PDT by bert ( (KE. NP. +12) Where is ZORRO when California so desperately needs him?)
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To: bert

You too? Don’t be stupid...


13 posted on 08/03/2025 6:42:40 AM PDT by Openurmind (AI - An Illusion for Aptitude Intrusion to Alter Intellect. )
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To: Openurmind

I’ll say it: regardless of all the intrusive things Google does... I like this. It’s a novel use of the tech that can actually have a bona fide public safety benefit.

Credit given for one good thing


14 posted on 08/03/2025 6:58:17 AM PDT by alancarp (George Orwell was an optimist.)
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To: Openurmind

Android Phones may need readjusting their motion sensors they may be detecting me driving my heap aka the Teddy Roosevelt a rough riding sob.


15 posted on 08/03/2025 7:03:17 AM PDT by Vaduz
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To: All

Dang remember just a few years the Chinese brought us a lousy virus, had the heartbeat of America and had the US shut it all down?

Maybe we have”nothing to hide” but having every iota of your life including your daily vitals, finger prints, iris scans, home security means as bad as or worse than Social Credit Score. They crushed General Flynn, SWATTED Trump, tried to kill and left Crooks as a lone wolf.
Have all the data you can manipulate the data and make every day people enemies...and maybe delete them from society or just manipulate your money and saving.


16 posted on 08/03/2025 7:32:23 AM PDT by Karliner (Heb 4:12 Rom 8:28 Rev 3, "...This is the end of the beginning." Churchill)
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To: alancarp

“It’s a novel use of the tech that can actually have a bona fide public safety benefit.”

I would tend to agree, “IF” it was the only sensor they monitored. But we know better, if they are watching one they are watching them all which negates the benefit of the one.


17 posted on 08/03/2025 7:35:37 AM PDT by Openurmind (AI - An Illusion for Aptitude Intrusion to Alter Intellect. )
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To: Bobbyvotes

” I have no problem if Google spies on me. I got nothing to hide.”

Excellent attitude citizen.


18 posted on 08/03/2025 7:44:12 AM PDT by dljordan (The Rewards of Tolerance are Treachery and Betrayal)
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To: dljordan

Yes for the average citizen, who keeps his head down, it’s no big thing.

But if you threaten the system, say run for office, they will find the dirt on you.


19 posted on 08/03/2025 7:45:17 AM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: Telepathic Intruder

I’m sure there is a special filter that kicks in after every Taco Bell purchase.


20 posted on 08/03/2025 7:52:32 AM PDT by bigbob (If thou doth eff around, thou wilt findeth out)
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