Re: Text Alerts to Cellphones in Emergency Are Approved

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

________________________________________
From: Lauren Weinstein [lauren () vortex com]
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 12:29 PM
To: David Farber
Cc: lauren () vortex com
Subject: Re: [IP] Text Alerts to Cellphones in Emergency Are Approved

Dave,

As you may recall, we discussed the issues of conventional text
messages in the context of emergency notifications here in IP
exactly two years ago.  While a system operating outside of the
conventional SMS environment would involve different issues in some
respects (this is touched on in the IP discussion), the bottom line
is that there are potential unintended negative consequences to such
technologies, especially if used on other than an opt-in basis, that
should be of concern or at least consideration.  The IP discussion,
which was triggered by proposed California legislation at the time,
can be found via:

http://www.mail-archive.com/search?l=ip%40v2.listbox.com&q=ab+2231

One interesting related issue that I don't think we covered in depth
yet, is the possible impact (no pun intended) of vast numbers of
drivers reaching for and trying to read the displays of their cell
phones at pretty much the same time in response to an alert warning
signal that they virtually all receive.

--Lauren--
Lauren Weinstein
lauren () vortex com or lauren () pfir org
Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800
http://www.pfir.org/lauren
Co-Founder, PFIR
   - People For Internet Responsibility - http://www.pfir.org
Co-Founder, NNSquad
   - Network Neutrality Squad - http://www.nnsquad.org
Founder, PRIVACY Forum - http://www.vortex.com
Member, ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
Lauren's Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com

 - - -

> ________________________________________
> From: bobr () bobrosenberg phoenix az us [bobr () bobrosenberg phoenix az us]
> Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 1:07 AM
> To: David Farber
> Subject: NYT:  Text Alerts to Cellphones in Emergency Are Approved
>
> Dave
>
> Perhaps for I.P.
>
> I'm betting the hackers are there by 2010.2 -- at the latest.
>
> Any takers?
>
> Have a nice day.
>
> Bob
>
> --
> Bob Rosenberg
> P.O. Box 33023
> Phoenix, AZ  85067-3023
> Mobile:  602-206-2856
> LandLine:  602-274-3012
> bob () bobrosenberg phoenix az us
>
> **************
>
> "Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of
> opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly
> repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and
> creates a country where everyone lives in fear."
> -- President Harry S. Truman, message to Congress, August 8, 1950
>
>
>
> Text Alerts to Cellphones in Emergency Are Approved
> http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/10/washington/10alert.html?ref=us
>
>
> By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
> Published: April 10, 2008
>
> WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal regulators approved a plan on Wednesday to create a
> nationwide emergency alert system using text messages delivered to cellphones.
>
> Text messages have exploded in popularity, particularly among young people. The
> trade group for the wireless industry, CTIA, estimates more than 48 billion text
> messages are sent each month.
>
> The plan stems from the Warning Alert and Response Network Act, a 2006 federal law
> that requires upgrades to the emergency alert system. The act requires the Federal
> Communications Commission to develop ways to alert the public about emergencies.
>
> “The ability to deliver accurate and timely warnings and alerts through cellphones
> 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,” the commission chairman, Kevin J. Martin, said after the plan was
> approved.
>
> Carriers’ participation in the system, which has strong support from the industry,
> is voluntary.
>
> Cellphone customers would be able to opt out of the program. They also may not be
> charged for receiving alerts.
>
> There would be three types of messages, according to the rules.
>
> The first would be a national alert from the president, probably involving a
> terrorist attack or natural disaster.
>
> The second would involve “imminent threats” that could include natural disasters
> like hurricanes, tornadoes or university shootings.
>
> The third would be reserved for child abductions, so-called Amber alerts.
>
> The alerts would be delivered with a unique audio signature or ”vibration cadence.”
>
> The service could be in place by 2010.
>
>
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