The US Government is currently in the process of overhauling the color-coded alert warning system used by the Department of Homeland Security to warn against terrorist attacks. According to the Associated Press, part of that new system will include Twitter and Facebook.
The social media platforms will be used “when appropriate” according to the plan obtained by the Associated Press. This is only after federal, state, and local law enforcement officials have been notified to the potential danger.
The new system is designed to be easier for the public to the understand while also being more specific than the color-coded system currently in use. The former system was criticized for being too vague and not giving the public any information.
The government has struggled with how much information to release to the public. One thing that’s being kept in mind is that the message sent will always depend on the threat.
The AP sites an example where the intelligence community gets a warning that there is a plan to hide explosives in backpacks around airports. The Department of Homeland Security would then send out a message notifying those at airports to be especially diligent.
These new Homeland Security guidelines are expected to be in place by April 27th of this year.
