Adelaide cafe's phone ban sparked backlash ahead of national alert test
An Adelaide cafe's decision to bar customers from using their phones during Monday's national AusAlert test triggered a wave of criticism online, with the venue forced to abandon its plan and close early instead.
Grounded Lonsdale, a cafe and retail space in Lonsdale's industrial precinct, initially told patrons visiting between 1pm and 2pm on Monday that they would need to switch off their phones for the duration of the test.
The test ran at 2pm AEST as part of the rollout of Australia's new cell-broadcast emergency warning system.
The cafe made clear on Facebook that the rule would be enforced, telling customers: "And yes, we will be checking."
It added: "You may not agree with the alert being a harmful frequency and that's completely fine, we respect your choices and opinions. You will simply need to have them somewhere else tomorrow between 1-2. Big love as always, Team Grounded."
A follow-up post reinforced the message with an image stating: "If you're visiting us tomorrow between 1-2pm you'll need to turn off your phone. We are not interested in having the Aus alert in our space. We hope you can respect this request. Thanks guys."
The stance drew heavy criticism from commenters, many questioning why a cafe would take a position on a government safety test. One person wrote: "You're a cafe. What's it going to do, f--k with your beans? Get over it," while another remarked, "Every day I come across a new type of cooker." A third took aim at the enforcement line, writing: "'Yes we will be checking' like you're the police Lmao."
Other commenters pointed to the inconsistency of a business active on social media expressing concern over an emergency alert, with one asking why phone tracking and data collection by tech platforms wasn't seen as the greater privacy issue. Some supporters, however, echoed unfounded claims linking the alert to harmful frequencies, with one urging others to "keep ph off for 24 hrs ideally."
Facing mounting backlash, Grounded Lonsdale reversed its approach in a second post, announcing it would close early rather than enforce the phone ban during trading hours.
"We think it is absolutely possible to disagree with someone and respect them at the same time," the cafe wrote, adding it would "close a little early and head to the forest for some family time" before resuming normal trade on Tuesday.
The episode came as authorities worked to counter misinformation circulating ahead of the AusAlert test, including false claims that the system poses a health risk. National Emergency Management Agency AusAlert Task Force assistant co-ordinator general Meghan Hibbert told ABC News the system operates via one-way cell-broadcast technology and does not collect or transmit personal data, including phone numbers or SIM details.
Hibbert also dismissed advice circulating online urging people to shield their phones from the signal, saying wrapping devices in foil or placing them in microwaves "will make no difference."
Those who wished to avoid the alert could have turned their phone off or switched to aeroplane mode.
Jonathan Jackson, 28th July 2026
