Presidential Alert text message to test WEA is now delayed until next month
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Remember the initial test of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system we told you to be prepared for on September 20th? The text, prefaced by a ear-piercing loud tone similar to the one used on Amber Alerts, is called a 'Presidential Alert' and cellphone users cannot opt-out of receiving it. The texts are supposed to be used to convey warnings related to the weather, missing children, and other emergencies.
The test of the WEA system and the 'Presidential Alert' has been pushed back to Wednesday October 3rd. One reason for the delay is that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is in charge of the WEA system, has its hands full with Hurricane Florence rescue efforts.
Speaking of responses, social media response to the initial news about the testing went about as well as you might expect. Many questioned the legality of not being allowed to opt-out of a text from the president, even if it is related to an emergency situation. Others were concerned about the WEA system being used to for political purposes by the current president, similar to how he uses his Twitter account.
According to tech security researcher Stephen Cobb, people are willing to pass up the benefits of having a national emergency system because they are afraid that President Trump is going to abuse the system. Jeramie Scott, director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center’s Domestic Surveillance Project, would like to hear more about the WEA system, which he calls intrusive because it stops all communications to your phone while it processes the message. Scott would prefer that the U.S. stick to the Emergency Alert System (EAS), which sends warnings over radio and television.
source: NBCNews
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