The Federal Communications Commission is refreshing its text alert system, combining two types of alerts into a single “National Alerts” category for iPhones and other Wireless Emergency Alert-supporting devices. The new system will also introduce checks to prevent false alerts from being made.
As part of the change, the existing “Presidential Alerts” category that was introduced in 2018 will be combined with alerts from FEMA, in a new category titled “National Alerts,” according to The Verge. The category will continue to be a “non-optional alert class” that will appear on all WEA-supporting mobile devices, such as iPhones.
A significant part of the change is dedicated to ensuring that there aren’t any mistaken messages issued via the system. The FCC’s change list specifically references a 2018 false emergency alert in Hawaii that warned of incoming ballistic missiles, as the incident “highlighted the need to improve these systems.”
The changes also include encouraging all U.S. states to form “State Emergency Communications Committees” to both administer alerts and to review the composition of existing committees that perform the same task. Certification of annual committee meetings are also required.
The order also requires the creation of a checklist of information that needs to be included in annual state Emergency Alert System plans, along with amending the process for review by the FCC itself. Government agencies will be able to report false alerts to the FCC’s operations center, while more clarification will be provided on how alert originators can repeat transmissions.
It was also announced that FEMA and the FCC will be conducting a national test of the wireless alerts and the Emergency Alert System, which will affect televisions and radios, on August 11.
Apple has also received criticism for its own alerts from Apple News, which sent a series of push messages to iPhones informing users of CNN’s story of the 2018 Hawaii incident. A number of users received a repeated alert every seven seconds for a period of around ten minutes.
The order also requires the creation of a checklist of information that needs to be included in annual state Emergency Alert System plans, along with amending the process for review by the FCC itself. Government agencies will be able to report false alerts to the FCC’s operations center, while more clarification will be provided on how alert originators can repeat transmissions.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via AppleInsider and The Verge