Domestic Violence Victims Warned Over Phone Alert

Every cell phone in the United States that is powered on and has service will emit a blaring sound during testing of a national alert system on Wednesday, posing a risk for those with secret phones, domestic violence organizations warn.

Around 2:20 p.m. Wednesday, cell phone users nationwide will receive a Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) from the government. WEA tests are sent out by authorized federal agencies to ensure that every cell phone can receive warnings about emergencies such as natural disasters and public safety threats, according to a statement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is coordinating the test in conjunction with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

While the WEA alert will appear and sound similar to AMBER alerts and weather warnings on mobile devices, users cannot disable or opt out of the national emergency alert test or turn down the accompanying jarring noise.

Local and national domestic violence groups are warning at-risk community members who use secret phones of the coming alert.

The Safety Net Project, part of the National Network to End Domestic Violence that focuses on the intersection of technology and abuse, said the test's blaring tone can inadvertently expose victims' hidden devices that they rely on for help.

Since the coming national test is not an alert that can be disabled or turned off within the device, the Safety Net Project advises those at risk to power off their cell phones around the time of the test, Audace Garnett, technology safety project manager with the agency, told Newsweek in an email.Apple Watches with cellular data are also able to receive the alerts.

"The WEA test is not the issue," Garnett said. "Any random alert or notification that the survivors are not aware of can potentially place them at risk if the phone is not on silent. WEA tests are similar to the Emergency Alerts, which are routine occurrences that happen quite often throughout the year."

For Wednesday's test, silencing the phone or blocking notifications will also not stop the loud sound, Safety Net Project warns, urging those at risk to also not leave devices on airplane mode.

FEMA said the purpose of the test is to "ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies." If Wednesday's test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the backup testing date is October 11.

The alert will also come with a message that reads: "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed."

WEA is used by the FCC in four types of emergencies: "National Alerts" issued by the U.S. president or FEMA; "Imminent Threat" alerts involving impending threats to safety or life; "Amber Alerts" about missing children; and "Public Safety Messages" conveying advisories for saving lives and property. Tests occur every few years to ensure the system is working properly.

Garnett told Newsweek that secret phones can serve as a lifeline, allowing emergency communication with support networks or services when a domestic violence survivor may be in danger.

However, she warns that having a hidden device might not be safe for all circumstances.

"In some situations, it may not be safe or advisable to have a hidden device, as its presence could escalate violence or lead to further harm," Garnett said, adding that the decision to power off hidden phones when not in use is a "strategic step to safeguard their safety, protect their privacy, and preserve their confidentiality."

Update 10/04/2023, 11 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information from Garnett.