maybelogicSep 10, 2023
Dr. Amy, Psy.D.

Hey if you have a phone you need kept secret and you live in the US make sure it’s turned off on Oct 4! FEMA is doing an emergency test

https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20230803/fema-and-fcc-plan-nationwide-emergency-alert-test-oct-4-2023

Edited to add - many people in abusive situations have hidden phones for safety. That’s what I’m referring to here. Please be safe 💜

Sep 9, 2023 at 11:34pmWeb
Show threadMexicanYentaSep 10, 2023
@dramypsyd thank you for this info! I’m a domestic violence victim advocate, I’m going to post this on our social media repeatedly!
Show threadDr. Amy, Psy.D.Sep 10, 2023
@MexicanYenta2 Please do! 💜
Show threadMexicanYentaSep 10, 2023
@dramypsyd emailed it to myself to remind me to do it Monday morning. And as it happens, October is domestic violence awareness month, so of course they’re doing the test then.
Show threadMcNullaSep 10, 2023
@dramypsyd
Why? What do secrets & emergency tests have in common?
Show threadSass, DavidSep 10, 2023
@dramypsyd I think on some devices it is an option to turn these alerts off completely.
Show threadhugoedelarosaSep 10, 2023
@dramypsyd I get no cell reception in my cubicle at work. I will not be startled by notifications. I need to walk close to a window to get cell signal. I get a good 5G Ultra Wide Band signal at my apartment. Verizon Wireless is weird.
Show threadenmodo ⚛️ 🧬 🇺🇦 🍉Sep 10, 2023

@dramypsyd reads like a scene from Breaking Bad.

But I don't have to worry, I know my phone's all working because I got 13 Emergency severe weather alerts last Sunday. It was wild.

Of course then I just turned "severe" alerts off so I'll only get "extreme" alerts now.

Show threadSteven BodzinSep 10, 2023

@dramypsyd interesting! For permanent relief:

Apple https://support.apple.com/en-us/102516

Android
https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/how-to-enable-or-disable-emergency-weather-and-amber-alerts-on-your-android-phone

About emergency and government alerts on iPhone - Apple Support

About emergency and government alerts.

Apple Support
Show threadhothead :naas:Sep 10, 2023
@dramypsyd why they won't test it in a testing environment? and can simulate the results as well. I can see from the article it's not even device specific? (Just language ID of wireless channel and of handheld). This could have also been emulated on devices and also the location! WHY?
Show threadartisanroxSep 10, 2023

@dramypsyd

I have a cheap Android phone and under Settings>Notifications>Advanced Settings>Wireless Emergency Alerts there seems to be a new setting (there was a recent droid update I think??) to turn all alerts off except national emergencies.

Show threadAshley ChurchillSep 16, 2023
@artisanrox
I just checked my settings. "National Alerts" is greyed out and there's text below it that says, "National warning messages. Can't be turned off."
@dramypsyd
Show threadLeftOfKarlMarxSep 10, 2023
@dramypsyd
❤
Show threadC.Suthorn Sep 10, 2023

@dramypsyd

@frauasha

Dasselbe für Deutschland: Am kommrnden Donnerstag 14. September 11:00 bis 12:00 ist Warntag. Diese Warnungen sind sehr laut und das für längere Zeit (bis die akustische Komponente weggedrückt wird). Es ist möglich die Warnung in den Präferenzen des Geräts abzuschalten. Seit dem letzten Warntag haben sicher einige, die zu dem Zeipunkt noch ein Mobiltelefon ohne diese Funktion hatten, zu einem Telefon mit der Funktion gewechselt, oder die Telefon-Software wurde upgedatet. Bitte boosten.

@ReginaMuehlich @BlumeEvolution @pallenberg @privacyDE @HonkHase @SheDrivesMobility @Nike_Leonhard

#hauslichegewalt #warntag #cellbroadcast #psa #servicetweet

Show threadRudie V. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️Sep 10, 2023
@dramypsyd I keep seeing these but every time the date comes and goes, nothing happens (I keep my phone on all the time). So this is just a chain message going around not unlike what we saw in the AOL days. Just minus the "X will happen to you if you don't forward this"
Show threadDr. Amy, Psy.D.Sep 10, 2023
@rudie I mean I’m going off of FEMA’s official announcement for when this is happening in the US. There was a test in the UK a while back, my phone didn’t go off because I’m not there. So it’s a little different than a made up chain message, and I’m certainly not threatening anyone who chooses not to boost.
Show threademberquill Sep 11, 2023

@rudie @dramypsyd OP links to an official announcement on FEMA's official website so it's a bit disingenuous to call it a chain letter.

If you don't get emergency alerts then maybe you've already opted out somehow.

Show threadThe Lady ParabellumSep 11, 2023
@dramypsyd Oh how I miss phones with removable batteries.
Show threadWeiserAlterElf 🎃Sep 11, 2023
@ladyparabellum @dramypsyd I just bought one again, old+used, since my beloved S5 got lost... now got a lineage based degoogled phone with removeable battery again, happy.
Show threadSilver The Hedgehog Sep 11, 2023
@dramypsyd So, you mean that if someone has a phone hidden or not used. FEMA will catch him/her phone by call their number.
Show threadDr. Amy, Psy.D.Sep 11, 2023
@SilverTheHedgehog124 Exactly! Some people in abusive situations have a secret phone. FEMA makes the phone give off a loud alert even if it’s set on silent, that person’s abuser learns about the secret phone
Show threadHyphlosionSep 14, 2023
@dramypsyd Don’t have a secret phone, but kinda spooky we’d need such a system in the first place. Also wondering if this has the potential to cause accidents. Yikes.
Show threadmiaSep 16, 2023
@dramypsyd is gov gonna log every successfully reached client device?
Show threadDr. Amy, Psy.D.Sep 16, 2023
@moshibar I wish I knew, sorry, this is all the info I have 💜 My understanding is cell phones but that’s a good question
Show threadHolger FialloSep 16, 2023
@dramypsyd Criminal make sure you pay attention to this.
Show threadPaul GorackeSep 16, 2023
@dramypsyd @aral To disable these alerts on iPhones: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102516
About emergency and government alerts on iPhone - Apple Support

About emergency and government alerts.

Apple Support
Show threadAral BalkanSep 17, 2023

@pgor @dramypsyd Thanks, Paul. Although also please note the fine print:

“3. In some countries or regions, you may not be able to disable Government Alerts.”

Show threadmichaelSep 16, 2023
@dramypsyd In what way is keeping the devices on dangerous?
Show threadDr. Amy, Psy.D.Sep 16, 2023
@michael if you live with an abuser who doesn’t know you have a phone, the abuser will hear the phone go off and learn that you have it
Show threadmichaelSep 16, 2023
@dramypsyd oh, didn't think of that. Thanks for explaining!
Show threadDr. Amy, Psy.D.Sep 16, 2023
@michael Of course! I am glad when it’s not a worry for someone but want to protect those who need it 💜
Show threadMcNullaOct 4, 2023

@dramypsyd

That was very loud!

I had my volume off and sound button off but it was still audible and loud.