Court looks into Obama administration's plan to cut mobile communication when needed

Pravda ^ | 08.04.2015

[george76]

The US Department of Homeland Security introduced a special plan - known as Standing Operating Procedure 303 - to block signals of cellular operators after cellular phones were used to detonate explosive devices during the bombings of the London subway system, Pravda.Ru reports.

A federal appeals court wants to know why the government should be allowed to keep secret its plan to block cellular communication for the time of "critical emergencies."

Standing Operating Procedure 303 is a powerful tool in the digital age

...

The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in February sided (PDF) with the government and ruled that the policy did not need to be disclosed under a Freedom of Information Act request from the Electronic Privacy Information Center. The court agreed with the government's citation of a FOIA exemption that precludes disclosure if doing so "could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of any individual."

EPIC asked the court to revisit its ruling, arguing that the decision, "if left in place, would create an untethered 'national security' exemption'" in FOIA law. On Friday, the court ordered (PDF) the government to respond-a move that suggests the appellate court might rehear the case.

SOP 303 allows for the shutting down of wireless networks "within a localized area, such as a tunnel or bridge, and within an entire metropolitan area."

[BenLurkin]

Not surprising. In fact, if you go to the right websites (while you still can) there is a great deal of information on the gover

[SkyDancer]

Wouldn’t you have to know before hand when a bombing is imminent and if set off by a cell phone?

[Diogenesis]

So the White Mosque can CUT communications of Americans
AFTER the First Moslem encourages, permits, enables,
assists, finances and weaponizes, WMD attacks
on the Homeland (as in the Boston Atrocity)?

Does not seem fair to Americans.

[massgopguy]

That Rotary phone at my mother’s house doesn’t look so silly now does it?

[Noumenon]

Ham radio

[Secret Agent Man]

if it can be an entire metro area, it can be many entire metro areas.

[LadyBuck]

Prepper PING!

Got HAM?

[Vaduz]

Increase of ham radios to ensue.

[BenLurkin]

That reminds me....who keeps the “Ping me when the internet goes down” list?

[LadyBuck]

If you have meat-space plans in place ahead of time, an inconvenience like no internet isn’t much of a hassle.

[Slyfox]

Remember the good old days when the FBI and law enforcement knew how to watch out for the bad guys?

[factoryrat]

The feds can jam SW signals just as easily as shutting down cell networks. And with radio directional finding, can easily track down the source of a transmission. The military has the ability to jam and block signals ranging from DC to daylight if they want to.

The only thing they can’t mess with directly is wired communications, and even then they can shut down the telcom networks if needed.

[BenLurkin]

Ping for the Internet Goes Dark Ping List.

[Faith65]

BKMK

[Mad Dawgg]

We are at a level two ID situ...

ping list has been initiated...

[Mad Dawgg]

For when the INTERNET goes down and quits working completely (Sorta like Congress only funner)

I've created a FRee Republic Emergency Ping list (as suggested by mitch5501 ) called:

The "The INTERNET isn't working" ping list:

IF you would like "ON' or "OFF the list FReep Mail me OR ping me in a thread with your request. This will not be a High Volume Ping list (Well at least we hope the INTERNET doesn't quit working frequently)

"So let it be written. So let it be done."

The List: mitch5501; Rocky; Pajamajan; Mad Dawgg; hoosiermama; SE Mom; null and void; BenLurkin; bigheadfred; redhead; berdie; Old Sarge; wyokostur; GeronL; TheOldLady; ducttape45; Gefn; IYellAtMyTV; Redcitizen; LonePalm

[Pajamajan]

Disturbing to say the least.

[mitch5501]

You worry too much...

"...would create an untethered 'national security' exemption'"

What could possibly go wrong?