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AT&T to force Obama alerts for iPhones with no way to opt out
bizpacreview.com ^ | June 17, 2013 | Janeen Capizola

Posted on 06/17/2013 8:17:56 AM PDT by T.O.K.

Not only is Big Brother President Obama watching you, he’s going to start messaging you if you own an iPhone with AT&T service.

AT&T subscribers with an iPhone 4S or 5 using iOS 6.1 or higher are going to start getting presidential alerts on matters of “national importance” whether you want them or not.

As part of AT&T’s new Wireless Emergency Alerts, once a user updates their operating system, AMBER and Emergency alerts are automatically sent to the phone. However . . .

(Excerpt) Read more at bizpacreview.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: alerts; att; bho44; iphone; mandatoryobamaalerts; obama; obamaalerts; obamaphones; telecom; wireless
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To: kevkrom

He is wrong.

Notices on Verizon are optional, and are not automatically piped through like they are on GSM.

I opted out on my Verizon phones the first day they enabled them.


41 posted on 06/17/2013 8:38:22 AM PDT by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
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To: T.O.K.

The Fuhrer demands your attention, ya think?


42 posted on 06/17/2013 8:40:46 AM PDT by ExTexasRedhead
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To: editor-surveyor

Amber and emergency notices are optional on AT&T too. It’s basically a system-wide text, I see no reason why GSM or CSDA makes a difference.

In the unlikely event that a Presidential alert is issued (by Obama or whomever succeeds him), you’ll get the message just like any AT&T subscriber will. It’s an FCC requirement.


43 posted on 06/17/2013 8:41:17 AM PDT by kevkrom (Obama: less class than Bill Clinton)
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To: T.O.K.

Nothing new here. This is how fascism works, people.


44 posted on 06/17/2013 8:43:44 AM PDT by Hoodat (BENGHAZI - 4 KILLED, 2 MIA)
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To: kevkrom

The GSM system automatically pipes the notices to phones that are equipped for them. CDMA isn’t designeds to do this, and requires the system operator to direct the notices for them to go through.


45 posted on 06/17/2013 8:44:39 AM PDT by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
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To: O6ret

Sorry but I just upgraded my Blackberry to a Q10 and you have Presidential Alerts on it that you cannot turn off either. Verizon is the carrier.


46 posted on 06/17/2013 8:46:43 AM PDT by mikesmad
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To: T.O.K.

“This is your President with a National Emergency. Call John Boehner at 202-555-1202 and tell him to get my bill out of committee right freaking now!”


47 posted on 06/17/2013 8:48:25 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
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To: T.O.K.; All
"AT&T to force Obama alerts for iPhones
with no way to opt out"

48 posted on 06/17/2013 9:00:38 AM PDT by musicman (Until I see the REAL Long Form Vault BC, he's just "PRES__ENT" Obama = Without "ID")
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To: T.O.K.

I read the article, hoping it would be a joke.. maybe it still is. My contract with Verspieson (verizon) ends in two weeks. If I am being watched and recorded, might as well just use my iphone for Skype. At least I am not paying an arm and a leg for the service. I considered consumer cellular, but it looks like every no contract is hooked to a major carrier. If anyone has any better alternatives.. I would appreciate it.


49 posted on 06/17/2013 9:04:41 AM PDT by momincombatboots (Back to West by G-d Virginia.)
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To: T.O.K.
From ATT website:

Can I opt out of receiving Wireless Emergency Alerts?

If you have a WEA capable device, you are automatically enrolled to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts. Based on FEMA guidelines, you may opt out of the following types of alerts:

Alerts involving imminent threats to life or property issued by the National Weather Service or other authorized emergency management agency Amber Alerts (missing child alerts)

You cannot opt out of Presidential Alerts.

To opt out of receiving Wireless Emergency Alerts, update the specific settings for your device. Please check your device manual for instructions.

50 posted on 06/17/2013 9:09:26 AM PDT by svcw (If you are dead when your heart stops, why aren't you alive when it starts.)
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To: Biggirl
Revolt is coming.

Sorry to disagree, but if you can assume any validity in polling and general attitude of about 60% of the adult population, it is not coming.

Not even 50% of the US Senate (this is disgusting) could bother to attend national security briefings on the NSA sypying, et al.

Face it, outside of *maybe* 25% of the people, wingnuts such as FReepers, no one gives a damn anymore.

New movie coming soon: "Suppose They Had a Revolution and Nobody Came?" The tried and true technique of silencing sections of disgruntled citizens a little at a time while the rest think it won't happen to them works as well now as it did in the 30s for the Nazis. Anyone that believes the hoi polloi are any smarter now than in the past is deluded.

51 posted on 06/17/2013 9:11:55 AM PDT by ChildOfThe60s (If you can remember the 60s.....you weren't really there)
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To: Gaffer

trac phone


52 posted on 06/17/2013 9:12:42 AM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: kevkrom

“STAY WHERE YOU ARE. WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT AND WE’RE COMING TO HELP YOU.”


53 posted on 06/17/2013 9:14:57 AM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Seattle Conservative

I have an iPhone 4s with Verizon. Within the last several months I have received one Amber Alert and 2 storm warnings - one was a blizzard warning. I don’t have any problem with receiving these messages, but I do not want ANYTHING from Obama.


54 posted on 06/17/2013 9:15:42 AM PDT by Gator113 ( ~just keep livin~ I drink good wine, listen to good music and dream good dreams.)
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To: Secret Agent Man

I hear they come with a Bernouse now.


55 posted on 06/17/2013 9:24:08 AM PDT by Gaffer
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To: ChildOfThe60s; Biggirl

Well, then perhaps it would be more accurate to say

“collapse is coming”.


56 posted on 06/17/2013 9:25:53 AM PDT by MrB (The difference between a Humanist and a Satanist - the latter admits whom he's working for)
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To: ChildOfThe60s

Sure about that? Give it time.


57 posted on 06/17/2013 9:27:35 AM PDT by Biggirl ("Jesus talked to us as individuals"-Jim Vicevich/Thanks JimV!)
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To: ChildOfThe60s

IIRC, only 20% of the American colonists actively participated in the Revolutionary War. Just sayin’.


58 posted on 06/17/2013 9:28:41 AM PDT by kevkrom (Obama: less class than Bill Clinton)
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To: T.O.K.
I wrote my carrier, ATT about it. Here are my emails and their responses....


Me: If I receive one unsolicited message from Barack Obama on my iPhone, I will immediately cancel my AT&T account. I'm surprised that your company is acting as an arm of the government. Unbelievable


Their reply

Dear (Textide),

My name is ----, with AT&T’s email Customer Service Team. I can definitely understand your concern about receiving unsolicited Presidential Alerts on your phone. I would be happy to review this issue for you.

After reading your email and consulting my Manager, I have found that Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs), or Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS), is a national public safety alert system that allows customers who own a WEA-enabled mobile device to receive geographically-targeted broadcast text messages, regardless of their wireless carrier. These alerts are meant to bring attention to national security threats, hazardous conditions, or child abduction alerts. For example, a tornado warning can be sent to a specific area indicating dangerous weather conditions and requesting to take shelter immediately.

There are three types of alerts through CMAS:

1. Alerts issued by the President

2. Alerts involving imminent threats to life or property issued by the national weather service or other authorized emergency management agency

3. Amber alerts (missing child alert)

You may choose not to receive imminent threat and amber alerts, but know that these alert messages are provided by approved emergency agencies and delivered via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Unfortunately, you cannot opt out of alerts from the President of the United States.

WEA does not use your mobile number to transmit messages and does not use the GPS location of your device; instead, WEA CMAS broadcasts messages similar to radio broadcast transmissions. There is no charge for receiving CMAS messages and you will only receive them if you have a WEA CMAS-capable device.

For more information about these alerts and/or to voice your feedback, please use the following link for the FCC page concerning this issue: http://www.fcc.gov/guides/wireless-emergency-alerts-wea .

(Textide), we do not believe that these alerts will be used for any purpose other than what is stated on the FCC website. We truly appreciate having you as an AT&T customer and want your wireless experience to be a success.

Sincerely,

--------

AT&T National Solution Centers


So I wrote a reply:

Your reply confirms my stand. You will not allow people to opt out of messages from the president??? What is this, North Korea?

Treat your customers in the US as the free Americans that we are. If I don't want to hear from the president you should respect that. I will not be ruled or dictated to.


They send the following reply:

Mr. (Textide),

I apologize for your concern regarding the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), especially as it relates to Presidential messages.

The FCC has mandated that no cell phone company may block or provide any means to block Presidential messages. However you do have the ability to opt-out of receiving WEA messages and AMBER alerts. Please understand that the technology used for these messages differs from a phone call or text message; they are broadcast messages sent to all phones within range of the cell tower.

The Warning, Alert, and Response Network Act (WARN Act) was passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush in October 2006. The WARN Act requires all cell phone companies to send WEA and Presidential messages.

Sincerely,

--------------

AT&T National Solution Centers

59 posted on 06/17/2013 9:38:14 AM PDT by Textide
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To: Gaffer

I wish you success with quitting. I have thought about bailing out on ALL of it.... 2 smart phones, internet, satellite TV. I can threaten to do it, but I know that I won’t follow through..... at least not yet.

I am 64 and I can remember the days of the ‘party line’ and a world without TV. We would sit in front of an old tube radio for entertainment — I still own two of those. After we finally bought an old black and white TV, the evening news was on for about 15 minutes a day. We carried a dime for a phone call.

In many respects, I liked those days much better...LOL.

Good luck......


60 posted on 06/17/2013 9:42:01 AM PDT by Gator113 ( ~just keep livin~ I drink good wine, listen to good music and dream good dreams.)
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