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takyon [soylentnews.org] writes:

Lawsuit seeks to stop FEMA's "Presidential Alert" system to cellphones citing First Amendment violation [cbsnews.com]

A new lawsuit filed in New York [google.com] is seeking to stop the implementation of FEMA's new "Presidential Alert" messaging system [cbsnews.com], an alert used for national emergencies that can be deployed by President Trump. Plaintiffs in Manhattan are suing Mr. Trump and FEMA Administrator Brock Long, claiming the alert system is a "violation of Americans' First and Fourth Amendment rights to be free from Government-compelled listening, as well as warrantless, non-consensual trespass into and seizure of their cellular devices."

Plaintiffs compare the alert system to "hijacking private property for the purpose of planting a Government-controlled loudspeaker in the home and on the person of every American." This new presidential alert is nationwide and only used for advance warning of national crises.

According to FEMA [twitter.com], the alert is not a text or SMS (short message service) but an audio and text warning that will display as a notification across a user's cellphone -- similar to the ones carriers receive during Amber Alerts and weather emergencies.

Previously: FEMA Emergency Test Message to be Sent to Most U.S. Cell Phones on Sept. 20 (or Oct. 3) [soylentnews.org]
What to Expect From the U.S. Wireless Emergency Alert Test Today [soylentnews.org]

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