FEMA's 'Presidential Alert' test postponed as some Americans want to disconnect
FEMA's 'Presidential Alert' test postponed as some Americans want to disconnect
The wireless emergency alert test was set to go out Thursday before FEMA announced it will be pushed back to Oct. 3.
by Farnoush Amiri / Sep.17.2018 / 9:15 PM ET
Plenty of Americans aren't terribly keen to be receiving text messages from the president, even in an emergency.
And they'll have a reprieve, if only briefly.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which oversees the wireless emergency alert (WEA) system, announced that the test that had been scheduled for Thursday will be pushed back to Oct. 3, citing the "ongoing response efforts to Hurricane Florence."
The initial announcement was met with concerns from social media users who stated that a direct message from President Donald Trump to the nation could be used for political purposes, similar to how he uses his official Twitter page.
One online user responded to FEMA's announcement via Twitter, saying, "We don’t need presidential alerts! We already have public emergency alert messaging. This is not necessary!"
Link to tweet
Many also went on to raise the issue of the alert being mandatory, with no way to opt of it. One user even messaged Verizon Wireless, one of the 100 wireless service companies that have agreed to provide the alert to their network, asking how she can avoid receiving it.
Some users even threatened to cancel their cellphone service, while others said they would protest the test by turning their phones off, creating the hashtag #GoDark920 in response to the original test date.
Stephen Cobb, a security researcher at ESET, a technology security company, tweeted via his verified account that the blowback against the test indicated the broader frustration with the president.
"This POTUS is so bad that folks are prepared to forgo the potential benefits of a national alert system - which already exists on radio and TV - because it is hard to believe Trump will not abuse it."
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https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/mobile/fema-s-presidential-alert-test-postponed-some-americans-want-disconnect-n910406
= new reply since forum marked as read
fragile ego took a serious hit. 
who were too busy over-reacting to care that this is a test of an emergency system we've paid big for. But at that time I didn't realize they would be numerous enough to constitute a statement of national rejection of Trump.
Before the midterms.
That's different. 
Every little bit helps. Besides, I really, really don't want that evil narcissist feeding his ego on my phone either.
why would I believe a text from him? 
no fucking way isn't he abusing us enough.
fucking wanna be dictator.
