Federal Government Forcing Chips in Cell Phones

Congress approved the Warning Alert and Response Network Act in 2006. This act legally requires that, beginning in 2012, all new cell phones sold in the United States must be equipped to receive alerts from the federal government. This involves incorporating a special microchip and software to be included in the phone.

The equipped phones will receive disaster warnings, Amber alerts, and messages from the President of the United States. Consumers are supposed to be allowed to opt out of the disaster warnings and Amber alerts, but they will not be allowed to opt out of messages issued by the President.

So, here is what is happening. The federal government is requiring cell phone makers to include extra equipment and software on your privately purchased cell phone. Private companies are being forced to add additional features to their products, and they will pass those costs on to you. You, as a consumer, will have no choice about having the extra equipment on your cell phone, which is your private property.

Here is the worse part. Since you cannot opt out of receiving messages from the President, you will be forced to receive messages from the President, whenever the President wishes to send a message to your phone. It does not matter if you want the messages or not, they will come to your phone if it has the chip.

The creepiest part is that the federal government is mandating cell phone features. The long-term potential for abuse is tremendous. Just imagine what sorts of things can happen when your government gains control over your private communication devices.

Surveillance Bill Dissolves Rights of Americans

Thanks to the House of Representatives and the US Senate, we are now one signature away from losing more rights and privacy. The Surveillance Bill gives greater power to the Federal government’s initiatives to spy on law-abiding Americans without court approval. It also grants protection to companies, which comply with the Federal government in violating your rights. In short, the government wants to continue to spy on you and give you little recourse, if any.

President George W. Bush is likely to sign this Surveillance Bill and continue an era where you as a private citizen may be put under intrusive investigation without a warrant. And, by the way, the surveillance warrants are available. The Bush administration just does not want to be troubled with requesting them through proper channels. Apparently, convenience trumps your Fourth Amendment rights.