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The power to send mass messages to a whole country is the worst thing google/apple have given to governments across the world.

by jpablo 3mo ago

murderfs 3mo ago
These aren't from Google or Apple, they're from the wireless providers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_Broadcast https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_Broadcast
woodruffw 3mo ago
This implies that governments didn’t already have this ability, which appears to be largely untrue? To my understanding, many countries already had emergency messaging systems, and mobile integrations are just a way of modernizing them. (It seems exceedingly good that the government can warn every civilian about natural disasters, etc.)
- fc417fc802 3mo ago
  Governments had poorly thought out poorly secured barely functional systems involving the network operators and those were then integrated with default system apps that have terrible UX without fixing any of the problems AFAICT. Agreed that it's clearly necessary functionality but it's worse than useless when it's so far proven to be (at absolute best) a constant stream of irrelevant alarms.
alpinisme 3mo ago
If you say so. In the meantime I’ll continue to appreciate the occasional tornado warning.
- fc417fc802 3mo ago
  I've yet to receive one of those that was useful. Meanwhile the 70+ year old storm sirens mounted on the nearby office buildings work perfectly in my experience, being audible even indoors from many miles away.
  - drivers99 3mo ago
    Even then. During a recent storm, they went off erroneously in Denver. (Looks like the other two erroneous alerts were via phone though.) > Denver emergency officials say they are working to rebuild public trust after a mistaken tornado siren activation Monday became the third improper emergency alert issued in the city this year. https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/denver-tornado-alarms-mistake-official-skipped-protocols/ https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/denver-tornado-alarms-...
vitorgrs 3mo ago
This is not related to Google or Apple. And this extreme alert, it's sent even to cable TV automatically. In a few countries, it's sent even on Fax lines.
antonvs 3mo ago
Where do AI-based military target selection systems fit in your ranking?

The power to send mass messages to a whole country is the worst thing google/apple have given to governments across the world.

by jpablo 3mo ago

The power to send mass messages to a whole country is the worst thing google/apple have given to governments across the world.

murderfs 3mo ago

These aren't from Google or Apple, they're from the wireless providers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_Broadcast https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_Broadcast

woodruffw 3mo ago

This implies that governments didn’t already have this ability, which appears to be largely untrue? To my understanding, many countries already had emergency messaging systems, and mobile integrations are just a way of modernizing them. (It seems exceedingly good that the government can warn every civilian about natural disasters, etc.)

fc417fc802 3mo ago
Governments had poorly thought out poorly secured barely functional systems involving the network operators and those were then integrated with default system apps that have terrible UX without fixing any of the problems AFAICT. Agreed that it's clearly necessary functionality but it's worse than useless when it's so far proven to be (at absolute best) a constant stream of irrelevant alarms.

alpinisme 3mo ago

If you say so. In the meantime I’ll continue to appreciate the occasional tornado warning.

fc417fc802 3mo ago
I've yet to receive one of those that was useful. Meanwhile the 70+ year old storm sirens mounted on the nearby office buildings work perfectly in my experience, being audible even indoors from many miles away.
- drivers99 3mo ago
  Even then. During a recent storm, they went off erroneously in Denver. (Looks like the other two erroneous alerts were via phone though.) > Denver emergency officials say they are working to rebuild public trust after a mistaken tornado siren activation Monday became the third improper emergency alert issued in the city this year. https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/denver-tornado-alarms-mistake-official-skipped-protocols/ https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/denver-tornado-alarms-...

vitorgrs 3mo ago

This is not related to Google or Apple. And this extreme alert, it's sent even to cable TV automatically. In a few countries, it's sent even on Fax lines.

antonvs 3mo ago

Where do AI-based military target selection systems fit in your ranking?