[Njtechdiv] US presidential alert?

[Mario Brusco]

Below is an article about the testing of the national alert system on 
October 3 @ 2:18 PM Eastern. If you get a 'Presidential Alert' on your 
cellphone Wednesday, it's legit: and I heard that it is louder than 
normal alerts.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will test its emergency alert 
system for mobile phones, which is expected to reach about 225 million 
devices.

BY COLLEEN LONGASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON - About 225 million electronic devices across the United 
States will wail and buzz Wednesday afternoon as the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency conducts an emergency alert test.

A tone will sound at 2:18 p.m., similar to that of an Amber Alert or 
flood watch warning, and the subject of the alert will read: 
"Presidential Alert" and text will say: "THIS IS A TEST of the National 
Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed."

It is the first test of the national wireless emergency system by FEMA. 
The message will be broadcast by cell towers for 30 minutes, so it's 
possible some people may get it at a different time. The alerts will 
sound as long as the device is turned on - even if it's on mute or do 
not disturb, and it may also appear on smart watches, officials said.

A second alert on television broadcast and radio will go off at 2:20 
p.m. The TV and radio alert has been tested for several years.

The system test is for a high-level presidential alert that would be 
used only in a nationwide emergency. It is being completed in 
coordination with the Federal Communications Commission. FEMA officials 
said Tuesday they would share test result data on how the testing went 
with mobile carriers to help ensure the system works well in a true 
emergency.

Phones with mobile carriers that participate in the wireless emergency 
alert system, which sends out information on hazardous weather, or 
missing children,
will get the alert. FEMA officials estimate it will reach about 75 
percent of all mobile phones in the country, including phones on all of 
the major carriers.

The wireless alert system launched in 2012. While users can opt out of 
messages on missing children and natural disasters, they can't opt out 
of the presidential alerts, which are issued at the direction of the 
White House and activated by FEMA.

FEMA officials said the administration can only send such an alert for 
national emergencies or if the public were in peril, rules outlined in a 
2006 law, and they say it can't be used for any sort of personal message 
from the president.

A group of New Yorkers filed a lawsuit in federal court in New York 
arguing they should not be compelled to receive the alerts under their 
right to free speech.

to find out more, take a look at:

What to Know About Wednesday's Presidential Alert:
http://time.com/5400574/presidential-alert-donald-trump-fema/