Spain explores new mobile alert systems to prevent notification fatigue

Experts and regional authorities in Spain are addressing the issue of alert fatigue caused by the increasing frequency of emergency notifications. Héctor Esteban, director of the Telecommunications Engineering School at the Universitat Politècnica de València, warned that the rise in Es-Alert messages—which has seen a significant increase following the October 2024 DANA event—could lead the public to stop perceiving real risks, describing it as a “boy who cried wolf” effect.

Data from the Ministry of the Interior shows that Es-Alert usage has grown substantially, with 210 alerts sent during July and August 2026 compared to 84 during the same period in 2025.

In response, Protecció Civil of the Generalitat de Catalunya is preparing to test a new “pre-alert” system. This tool aims to provide a middle ground between the current high-intensity Es-Alert notifications and no notification at all. The system is designed to inform citizens of potential risks that do not pose an imminent danger, reserving the most intrusive sounds for maximum-gravity emergencies. Initial trials will take place in the town of Santa Pau in the La Garrotxa region to test the functionality within a controlled geographic area.