Viral Claim About Lock Screen Ads Blocking Emergency Call Debunked, But Highlights Smartphone Usability Issues
A viral social media post claiming that a phone's lock screen magazine feature prevented an elderly man from calling emergency services was later clarified as false. However, the incident sparked debate about intrusive mobile advertising and difficult-to-disable system features in smartphones.
A widely shared social media post claimed that a mother’s heart attack treatment was delayed because her father could not unlock his phone to call 120, China’s emergency medical service number, due to the interface of a lock screen magazine feature. The claim suggested that the built-in information feed obstructed the ability to make an urgent call.
However, the original poster clarified on September 11 that the father had successfully called for help. The initial misleading post was attributed to emotional distress during the family emergency. Despite the correction, the incident drew attention to broader issues regarding smartphone operating systems and user experience.
The feature at the center of the discussion, often referred to as "Magic Magazine," is a built-in lock screen information feed present in some phone systems. Users report that this function cannot be directly uninstalled and requires navigating complex settings to disable. Furthermore, users have noted that while entering the magazine interface is easy, the exit buttons are very small. This design has led to accidental clicks and difficulty returning to intended applications.
Testing of flagship phones restored to factory settings revealed significant ad exposure. When all system app notification permissions were enabled, devices received between 2 and 39 push advertisements per device. Experts note that manufacturers integrate these ad networks into OS layers to generate revenue. Bao Ran, Vice Chairman of the Zhongguancun Modern Information Consumption Application Industry Technology Alliance, stated that phone manufacturers embed internet traffic and ad operations into the operating system to expand business.
This trend raises concerns about user experience, particularly for elderly users who may face difficulties navigating away from accidental ad clicks or lock screen interfaces. User trust in smartphone usability is eroded by hard-to-disable built-in advertising features.
In late 2022, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) issued a notice requiring pre-installed apps, except those with basic functions, to be uninstallable via safe and convenient methods. However, regulatory gaps exist regarding whether system-level UI elements like lock screen feeds count as "apps" subject to these uninstallation rules.