NTT DoCoMo halts some emergency alerts over PHP flaw
Earthquake Early Warnings and tsunami alerts from the Japan Meteorological Agency are still being delivered during the maintenance.
NTT DoCoMo suspended distribution of some of its Area Mail emergency alerts on October 23, including the J-Alert messages issued by the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, river flood forecasts designated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and disaster and evacuation information from local governments, according to k-tai.watch.impress.co.jp.
The carrier also suspended its SMS-based Dokodemo Saigai Hinan Joho service, which sends disaster and evacuation information by text message.
The suspension is a preventive security measure taken in response to a PHP vulnerability. Maintenance work began progressively from around 19:30 on October 23.
Earthquake Early Warnings and tsunami warnings from the Japan Meteorological Agency continue to be delivered through Area Mail.
NTT DoCoMo said it will announce the resumption date once the necessary work and safety checks are complete. While the maintenance is under way, the company asks users to rely on disaster prevention apps and other services for disaster and evacuation information.
Quick answers
Which NTT DoCoMo alerts have been suspended?
J-Alert messages from the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, river flood forecasts from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and disaster and evacuation information from local governments, plus the SMS-based Dokodemo Saigai Hinan Joho service.
Are Earthquake Early Warnings still being sent?
Yes. Earthquake Early Warnings and tsunami warnings from the Japan Meteorological Agency are still delivered through Area Mail.
Why did NTT DoCoMo suspend the alerts?
The company describes the suspension as a preventive security measure responding to a PHP vulnerability.