Under the previous Wireless Amber Alert system, users had to subscribe to text messages notifying them of children suspected of having been recently abducted. It has now been absorbed into the WEA system.
The architects of the new system say it allows for more precise targeting of notifications. Instead of relying on voluntary subscribers, the system utilizes local cell towers to send alerts to any WEA-enabled phone in the targeted area regardless of whether a user's cell phone service is based there. That way local residents with out-of-town area codes and visitors in an affected area will be notified. It also means that when you go out of town, you won't get alerts from back home.
The system is opt-out: cell phone users -- depending on the service carrier -- can adjust which alerts they get through their phone settings. Besides the Amber Alert, there are "imminent threat" alerts, covering events like natural disasters, and "presidential" alerts concerning matters of national security or concern. Users cannot opt out of the presidential alerts.
