'Cheaters beware': Warning that secret phones are set to blare in nationwide emergency 'Australia Alert' test that could expose affairs... and vulnerable Aussies

By MAISY RAE - NEWS REPORTER and AAP Published: 06:44, 23 July 2026 | Updated: 06:46, 23 July 2026 Australians in illicit relationships who harbour a secret second phone have been warned their hidden devices may be exposed by a national emergency alert trial.  Mobile phones around the nation will blast out a 10-second siren at 2pm AEST on Monday, July 27.  The siren is part of a test for a new warning system from AusAlert, set to roll out in October to signal bushfires, floods and other natural disasters.  The alarm will be classed as a 'critical alert', meaning there is no option to silence or mute it unless the phone is switched off or in aeroplane mode. It can also bypass 'do not disturb' settings.  Although the alert is intended to save lives, it could also expose a secret second phone – including to those cheating on their partners.  The Daily Mail dating and relationship columnist Jana Hocking said she would be 'popping the popcorn and pulling up a front-row seat' for anyone caught out by the alert.  'If I were sitting at home and suddenly heard a phone I didn't recognise blaring somewhere in the house, I would be locating that sound with the speed and precision of a sniffer dog,' she said. 'There are going to be some truly spectacular excuses flying around at 2pm because it's rather hard to explain why a mystery phone has suddenly announced itself to the entire household.' Australians with a secret relationship have been warned the Monday alert trial could reveal a  hidden second phones Mobile phones around the nation will blast out a 10-second siren at 2pm (AEST) on July 27 Daily Mail dating columnist Jana Hocking said the trial would do the 'detective work' for anyone with suspicions their partner may be cheating  Ms Hocking said the test means those who are suspicious of their partner don't need to launch a full-scale search before Monday. 'At 2pm, stand still, listen carefully and let the government do the detective work for you,' she said. 'The new system is designed to warn Australians about danger, and for some people, the danger may turn out to be sitting right beside them on the couch.' Body+Soul's 2024 Sex Census revealed one in three Australians have cheated or considered cheating on their partner. There could be some tough conversations on Monday evening after the trial.  However, dating and relationship coach Susie Kim said she is unsure how many cheaters with a second phone will actually be discovered. She said the majority would most likely be older people.  'I have seen people where a second phone has been involved but most people who cheat just use their normal phone,' she told the Daily Mail.  'It's pretty easy to use different apps or delete messages. It's pretty old school to have a second phone nowadays.'  Her comments are backed by a 2017 survey by US-based extramarital affairs site Ashley Madison, which found only 11 per cent of people who cheated used a secret phone.  Susie Kim said older people are most likely to be caught, as having a second phone is now 'pretty old school'  'If this catches you completely out of the blue, I think it's time to take a step back and take stock of where your relationship is at and what conversations you have and haven't had,' Ms Kim said. 'It's hard to not rush to conclusions, but it's pretty significant to hide something like a whole phone. You can't help but wonder what's being left out of the conversation.' Ms Kim said she encourages those who discover infidelity to consider whether their relationship has a chance for 'real repair'.  It is not just adulterers who may face unintended consequences from the test. Vulnerable Australians, such as domestic violence victim-survivors, have also been warned.  Those who keep a hidden mobile device for safety have been asked to switch off or put devices into aeroplane mode one hour before the test begins.  It is also recommended to keep the phone switched off, or in aeroplane mode, until 24 hours after the test. Given the nature of emergencies, victim-survivors could have little to no advance warning, said Rachael Burgin, senior lecturer in criminal justice at Melbourne’s Swinburne University.  'In the long term, it is not reasonable to expect victim survivors to just always have the phone off,' Dr Burgin told AAP.  Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the test will go ahead despite concerns from states and territories  'Being connected to community is a really significant protective factor for victim survivors, so those are real concerns.' She gave the example of live location sharing, a common practice for people in abusive situations to keep family and friends updated on their movements.  Being forced to keep a phone off or in aeroplane mode could break that link, while some may not have time to wait for a device to switch back on when needed.  'What happens for victim-survivors when they need that phone to be on so that they can call for services, or they can access it in situations of escalating danger?' she said.  Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain met with her state and territory counterparts on Wednesday to address those concerns. They also discussed how people who rely on landlines and non-English speaking households will be protected.  She said a siren could ‘cross language barriers’.  'People know when they hear a siren that there is an emergency happening,' McBain said. The AusAlert system was created after the 2020 Royal Commission into Natural Disaster Management to address gaps in state-based emergency alerts.  While it is designed to operate as a standalone national system, some states and territories will continue to use their own alerts when AusAlert comes into effect in October. If this story affected you, contact Lifeline 13 11 14 or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.