French government releases terror alert app

The French government has released a mobile phone app designed to alert the public in the event of a terror attack. The move comes ahead of the Euro 2016 football tournament, set to kick off on Friday 10 June. In a statement released by the French interior ministry, it said the app would alert geo-located users ‘in case of a suspected attack’. The app was initially developed in response to November’s attacks in Paris, where 130 people were killed. The news follows warnings from the British Foreign Office that stadiums, fan zones and transport hubs were all possible targets for attack during the football tournament. App users will be able to sign up to receive alerts in up to eight different geographical zones. The alerts will offer a brief description of what has taken place as well as additional advice on how to stay safe. The technology has been designed so that alerts do not cause the device to vibrate or emit any sound, to ensure that anyone hiding in the event of an attack is not jeopardised. The apps will be available to download on both iOS and Android phones.