The FCC has approved a new nationwide alert system
that will send text messages to cell phones to alert Americans when an
emergency, disaster, or attack occurs. Only three types of events will
trigger the emergency text message, which will be sent by your carrier.
This is a good idea, though I am sure it will be completely ignored
by many. The text messages will be sent for the following reasons:
there is a terrorist or other attack that threatens the safety or
health of Americans; an imminent or on-going natural disaster such as
an earthquake, hurricane or tornado; or an Amber alert.
If any of these three happens, your network operator will be
contacted by the government, and an alert will be sent to your mobile
phone. Participation by the network operators is not mandatory, though
AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon have all said they will adopt
the program. Smaller, regional carriers are likely to follow suit.
FCC chairman Kevin Martin said, "The ability to deliver accurate and
timely warnings and alerts through cell phones and other mobile
services is an important next step in our efforts to help ensure that
the American public has the information they need to take action to
protect themselves and their families prior to, and during, disasters
and other emergencies."
According to CNN,
a yet-to-be named federal agency would create the messages and
information that would go to the participating cell phone companies.
Once that agency is created, all carriers who opt into the system will
have to meet the requirements of the system -- which have not been made
public -- within 10 months.
Sadly, subscribers will be able to opt out of receiving the
messages. This sort of negates the benefit, if you ask me. Could
anonymous emergency alerts become a headache? Surely. But the most
important tool to have during any emergency is information. Why you'd
want to restrict your access to information is beyond me.
