What about this idea of 'the President' texting you Americans you let you know about emergencies?

Question

You must be off your rockers if you willingly agree to hand over your cellphone numbers to the government. This scam is really the thin end of the wedge. You would be giving your govt full access to your private life - whatever of it they don't know already.

Tell the nosey parkers to bugger off, that's what I recommend.

Answer 1

They already have access to anyones phone numbers.....just like any country does. All that they are doing is giving the specific info to the cell phone companies to text people in the event of some kind of natural disaster, or national emergency.

Wouldn't you like to know if something horrible was going to happen to you, your family, friends, or your home in advance? What if you were away from tv's, radio, and you were off doing something else. You would never know whats headed your way.

You think your government couldn't get your cell phone number if they really wanted to? funny.

Answer 2

I'm scottish and think this is a great idea to let people know what is happening across the country or even say the other side of Times Square from you.

Answer 3

I can't imagine why this would be a good idea.  But as far as giving them information.  It's not something they can't already get if they really want it... Listening in on a cellphone conversation is not rocket science.

Answer 4

Cellphone numbers cannot be voluntarily given if the citizen wanted privacy.  The President must be the one who should give his contact numbers for emergencies.

Answer 5

yeah, but you would be pretty pissed off if something happened and they didnt warn you. i think its like the emergency broadcasting system.

Answer 6

This would be nothing more than a modification of the 'reverse 911' system.  (You are aware that the 911 system can be used in reverse to broadcast emergency information to those people in danger?)

Personally, I would want the government to pass potentially life-saving information to me in the event of an emergency.

BTW - this text message system is not based on phone numbers.  It is based on cell towers.  The idea is that every cell phone in a particular area can be sent a broadcast text message (Such as "evacuate now!") in an emergency without having to determine the phone number or service provider.