DHS to Send Widespread Alerts

MarsGov writes "The Department of Homeland Security is gearing up to be able to periodic test 'alerts' to cable television stations, satellite radio, as well as any text-capable device — PDAs, cell phones, and web sites." From the article: Some glitches remain as telephone companies and other networks grapple with potentially trying to alert all of their customers at the same time without jamming their systems, Lawson said. But the alerts could be transmitted by text messages, audio recordings, video or graphics, he said, opening the possibility of sending out additional detailed information to specific sectors, like hospitals or emergency responders."

Invasion?

[cb8100]

So, if the U.S. gets invaded I'll get an SMS saying "All our base are belong to them?"

I can see where this goes...

[Anonymous Coward]

Great, all we need now is gov't spamming of cell phones...

FLASH!

[bk4u]

So when you get a text, remember to duck and cover. Hiding under desks also helps.

Can't wait...

[ph43thon]

...until some guy hacks that system to send out "Test Alerts" about his large penis.

Keeping Americans scared...

[Anonymous Coward]

The Department of Homeland Security... keeping Americans scared for a double plus good future.

*text msg chime*

[Rob T Firefly]

FROM: DHS
SUBJECT: omgwtfbbq
BODY: big missls cmg oshit run awy now pls kthx

Re:Interesting.

[FLEB]

It means we go into Emergency Bureaucracy. May God help us all.

Re:kind of scary

[pixelpusher220]

and 5 minutes later a 2nd SMS saying:

No, the OTHER way!

Re:Just in time for the fall election season

[Fallingcow]

If you look at a timeline of terror alerts, they all seem to coincide with the release of news that was damaging to the Bush administration.

To be fair, pretty much any news is damaging to the Bush administration.

Re:I can see where this goes...

[chmod a+x mojo]

this is the government we are talking about, i think you mean in-ept :-P

Re:How is this about fear?

[voice_of_all_reason]

reverse 911

That would be totally freaky. Skyscrapes being built all by themselves, followed by people madly jumping hundreds of feet off the ground in order to get to work. I'd run the fuck away from anything that scary.

Re:Just what we need...

[Walt Dismal]

Homeland Security Spam!

(Simultaneously received on my cell phone, my Blackberry, and my in-box)

Hello, esteemed Sir. I am Nageeb Prahook, with the Departmint of Honeland Security. We wounder if you would help us. We have $25 million in loose cash we do not know what to do with. If you could email me your bank account number, I will deposit most of it with you. Only you must send me by Western Union wire transfer a good faith payment to show you are sincere. I await your assistance. This is an official message, we did not hack into anyone's computers to send this.

Re:Invasion?

[kimvette]

If it's outsourced to an Indian company it'll read "All your base are belonging to us!"

(Apologies to my Indian friends if you're reading this. I just couldn't resist.)