An Adelaide cafe with controversial views on the national AusAlert test has found itself at the centre of a fierce online backlash after telling customers to switch off their phones or stay away.Grounded Lonsdale, a cafe and retail space in Lonsdale’s industrial area, told patrons they would need to turn off their phones if visiting between 1pm and 2pm during Monday’s emergency alert test before later deciding to close early altogether.AusAlert will be tested at 2pm AEST on Monday. It is a new cell-broadcast emergency messaging system designed to warn people about natural disasters.“And yes, we will be checking,” the business told customers on Facebook.“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.”That post was paired with an image spelling out the cafe’s position even more directly: “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 response was brutal, with commenters mocking the policy and questioning why a cafe was taking such a stance over a government test of its new disaster warning system.“You’re a cafe. What’s it going to do, f--k with your beans? Get over it,” one person wrote.Another added: “Every day I come across a new type of cooker”, while a third mocked the venue’s warning that staff would enforce the rule, writing: ‘“Yes we will be checking’ like you’re the police Lmao.”Others challenged the logic behind the decision.“So phones already probably track your location, listen to your conversations, monitor your browser history, and compile all this data into things that merchants can sell to you, but an emergency warning is where the line is drawn?” one asked.Another said: “You have a social media account with an extremely surveilled meta and you’re afraid of an alert that could save lives during a national emergency…?”Some online supporters, however, echoed conspiracy claims circulating more broadly ahead of the alert test.“Absolutely. Do not be around people and crowds. The hertz and frequency they will be using is toxic. Keep ph off for 24 hrs ideally,” one person wrote.After the first wave of backlash, Grounded Lonsdale shifted course. In a second post, the cafe said it would no longer stay open during the alert window.“We think it is absolutely possible to disagree with someone and respect them at the same time,” the cafe wrote.“It seems not wanting to be around the Aus alert is a rather controversial topic, who knew? (We don’t watch the news so clearly not us). “Anyway upon further deliberation we’ve decided simply to close a little early and head to the forest for some family time. “We will be back on Tuesday morning, business as usual, making the coffee you know you love. As always, with love Team Grounded.”The cafe’s response comes as authorities push back on a wave of misinformation ahead of the test, including false claims the alert carries dangerous frequencies or can somehow harm people through 5G signals.National Emergency Management Agency AusAlert Task Force assistant co-ordinator general Meghan Hibbert stressed the system was a one-way broadcast and did not collect personal information.“AusAlert works on cell broadcast technology which does not require a phone number. In fact, it does not require a SIM card,” Ms Hibbert told ABC News.“It’s a one-way broadcast and we don’t receive anything back in response.”Authorities have also warned people not to follow online advice telling them to put their phones in microwaves.“I can confidently say that wrapping your phone in foil or putting it in the microwave will make no difference,” she said.“If you do not wish to receive the AusAlert, you need to turn your phone off or put it on to aeroplane mode.”Read related topics:Adelaide