I think both of you are correct. The alert itself is a simple one-way broadcast, according to technical documents (if they are to be believed). But the feds certainly CAN remotely access everything on your phone. Edward Snowden's leaks uncovered a lot of that, and there must be much more that we don't know. So while the two (may or) may not be related, what nutjob McAfee tweeted is something that's within the government's abilities.
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Other Presidential Alert
- Thread starter Martyimac
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I think both of you are correct. The alert itself is a simple one-way broadcast, according to technical documents (if they are to be believed). But the feds certainly CAN remotely access everything on your phone. Edward Snowden's leaks uncovered a lot of that, and there must be much more that we don't know. So while the two (may or) may not be related, what nutjob McAfee tweeted is something that's within the government's abilities.
Ready for what exactly? If a nuclear missile is heading my way what am I supposed to do, shoot at it? I think I'd rather be vaporized without knowing it is coming.
That makes sense. These alerts are not IP-based communications. They are broadcast by the control channel of the tower you are connected to. If you aren't connected to a tower, it would make sense that you would not receive it.
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How would that even work with just a notification that is sent out (a one way packet communication basically)? And E911 somehow gives access to the microphone, camera, and everything else on the phone?
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And then there's this: John McAfee's presidential publicity stunt just recruited a guy with an eyepatchLOL coming from a guy who sells antivirus/malware/spyware software. No motivation there
I think he clearly snorted too much white stuff today. It's a simple alert.
I'm not saying the E911 system specifically allows this, or that the emergency alert system can do any of these things. I'm saying, the United States federal intelligence community does have the capability to remotely access your phone, turn on the microphone and camera, and see all of the data you send and receive. So while the tweet is not 100% technically accurate, it is accurate regarding the wide-ranging spying capabilities that the government has access to.
THIS!
Same with any other type of unavoidable Armageddon scenario. Give Americans the freedoms to choose to disable these/opt out like all the others.
I was driving home going 70MPH while this went off, almost scared the heck out of me seeing presidential alert on my CarPlay and hearing that damn awful sound through the speakers but no text nor audio of it being a test until 10 minutes later on all radio stations.
That is my understanding.
[doublepost=1538608641][/doublepost]It amazes me how many folks didn't know this was coming. This has been in the news for probably a week now.
Not sure if my phone went off because it was on silent and I received this alert on my Apple Watch series 4.
Mine was also silent and on silent... just vibrated and wouldn’t stop until I unlocked my iPhone.
LOL good thing I have vibrate off too. I rely on my watch to give me most of my notifications. I can't stand being interrupted. Ahaha. That would be annoying.
Heard the test signal noise and got the alert. Initially, I thought I accidentally triggered the Emergency SOS since my Amber and Emergency alerts are shut off.
This was my favorite spoof of the presidential alert text:
I'd rather he not find me but...
This was my favorite spoof of the presidential alert text:
I'd rather he not find me but...
You know, a nuclear attack, or other national disaster, doesn't mean instant inevitable death to every soul in the country, There could actually be steps you could take to protect yourself and your family if you are alerted. That's the whole point.
I'm Canadian so none of this really applies to me
That being said, I think that those in this thread who don't want this system to work are being incredibly shortsighted. It's a means to disseminate potentially life saving information when every minute counts. Ideally it will never have to be used, but if it is, it will be in a situation where you will probably be glad for it.
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Didn't get it on mine at 2:18, it only came through as soon as I restarted my device 10 min later.
iPhone X on AT&T.
iPhone X on AT&T.
In my job these alertw started going off today. I went to the bathroom and had left my phone on my cubicle. When I got back my supervisor and co workers were telling me that my phone had been going off with some strange alarm and suddenly we started hearing other phones going off.
Exactly.
And FTR, both my Verizon and Att phones got it at the same time and my son got it on his Verizon phone. Not sure about husband as he was on a plane...guess his phone was in airplane mode.
Those alerts indicate that a missile is inbound, but the possible strike area will be very broad (across state lines, broad). Authorities will want to give the most people the most time to get to cover because it may take time to figure out exactly where the strike will be.
And most of the deaths probably won't be due to vaporization. You need to take cover for the same reasons you'd take cover from a horrific wind storm - to avoid blunt force trauma from a semi-truck hitting you in the face, and because you don't want to die a lingering death due to burns and cancer, all of which you might be able to avoid in the 20 plus minutes you have to try and find shelter.
