Who Is Behind The ‘Pro-Democracy’ Cell Phone Panic Button App? We Are.
- Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:05pm by
Mike Opelka
- Print »
- Email »
Are you trying to overthrow an oppressive regime but find yourself about to be captured by troops loyal to the government and worried that your smart phone will offer a treasure trove of information that might stop the movement? There‘s an ’app’ for that!
The program allegedly will wipe your phone clean and send a last-minute message to the rest of the rebels, telling them you have been captured as well as feeding them your location. But do not look in the iPhone App store for this little electronic marvel, it is allegedly being developed by the US Govt.
We are not kidding. Uncle Sam is not only in the business of possibly arming the rebels in Libya and other countries, he is also providing support for their cell phones. We may even be giving them the cell phones. After all, as evidenced by the ‘Assure Wireless’ program, for years the government has seen cellular service as something of an entitlement to be provided to people in need.
If we consider cell phones a basic right for the impoverished, doesn‘t it make sense that America would also view people who are ’poor’ in Freedom to be impoverished and in need of cell phones with communication tools to help them overthrow their oppressors?
The State Department is not exactly hiding this story. As reported by Gadget Guru;
The initiative is part of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s push to expand Internet freedoms following the pro-democracy movements in Iran, Egypt, Tunisia and elsewhere.
While they are not hiding the project, it is not exactly something being trumpeted by the government, as assistant secretary for state Michael Posner told Reuters;
“We’ve been trying to keep below the radar on this, because a lot of the people we are working with are operating in very sensitive environments.”
Over at PhoneDog.com there seems to be a prevailing opinion that the Panic Button is not a problem;
The panic button would be a tool that the individual owner of the smartphone would use, and not the government itself from some remote location, whenever they see fit. And again, this technology is meant for countries around the world, and not specifically here, locally. Of course, the technology, which would allow the owner to wipe their device and send out a warning to other activists that they are being arrested or detained, could very well be installed in devices here in the States. The usage could be changed, or new features added to fit the needs of the American people.
With any “panic button,” the fear of government comes into play. Is a software-based panic button a bad idea? Not on paper, and probably not when it’s implemented in the fashion that the US State Department and its designers intend, but obviously anything is possible and the technology could very well be used in other, more nefarious ways.
The technology is not exactly new and ground-breaking. Back in the early 1990s there was a program called ‘The Boss Key’ – install it and when the boss approaches your desk, one tap would pop up a pre-ordained screen with something that looked like work.
Current smart phones can also provide a reasonable amount of security. The iPhone has a standard password protection function that will lock the phone if someone does not know the password, but after ten failed attempts, it wipes the phone clean. The iPhone can also be wiped remotely if it is lost.
The story here is not that the government is developing software applications (or PAYING for this development) but rather that we are doing this with the intent that the software is to used to overthrow governments that we deem unfriendly.
Popular Stories
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 591 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 417 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 415 Comments
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 386 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 376 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 417 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 415 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 386 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 151 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know 100 Comments- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 303 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 417 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (55)
kickagrandma
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 7:24amYou know, I’m starting to get the heebie jeebies about all this “HELP” s**** (that’s “stuff!”) the government (read: soros,communists,marxists,leftwingedbats,etc.) want to HELP us with…
Anyone out there with input on the “Reverse Mortgages” promo…. sounds good, but…… What do you all think?
As to the cellphone app, I think we all should pitch the cell phones, period. My husband and I are “struck” by the number of people driving and talking. HELLLLLOOOOO!!!! I’ve started holding up an empty bottle of coke when I see them and yelling, “Hello, hello, hello” hoping they’ll notice me before they hit us or someone else, see how silly everyone looks with their hands stuck to their heads, laugh at themselves, turn the phone off and DRIVE…..in quiet…..gives GOD a chance to talk to you…..try it!
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 7:46am@ KICKA
OOPS…. “hole up an empty bottle of coke TO MY EAF like a phone….” (sorry about the oopses!)
Report Post »Cake
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 2:25amHonestly I dont trust that this app wouldnt immediately notify some government person of you location too. An app like this that you could immediately wipe sensitive data on your iphone or remote wipe it would be incredible though.
Report Post »vtech61
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 5:29pmIf your on food stamps you too can get a FREE cell phone.
Don’t believe me?
SafeLink Wireless is a government supported program
Report Post »that provides a free cell phone and airtime each
month for income-eligible customers. Learn More
https://www.safelinkwireless.com/EnrollmentPublic/home.aspx
barrygoldwater
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 5:02pmOMG! been captured! :(
Report Post »capitalismrocks
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 4:37pmSo, by these pathetic analogies, lets look at the history of the world:
Cellphones are right?
The Internet (oh wait — BROADBAND Internet) is a right? (Can’t surf free porn on a 56k modem!!!!
So by this form of stupidity, lets ask these questions:
When TV & Radio were the only means of information, why weren’t they a right? (everyone should‘ve been given free tv’s, free radios and free HBO and Showtime subscriptions… HUH!?!?!?)
Why then aren’t magazines and newspapers are a right? (so they should all be free right?)
The telephone is a right? (Not cellphones there kiddies, were talking about that weird thing hangingin on the wall in the kitchen, gasp … it might have a rotary dialer on it, how the hell does that thing work?!?!?!)
I guess before that, pencil and paper were a right?
Stone tablets and a chisel must’ve been a right as well?
See where this is going, since when has ANYTHING been a right?!?!? It hasn’t!!!
You want something – get off your ass and get a job! You want a BETTER version, the more expensive version??? Work harder – you get what you earn!
Report Post »Rickfromillinois
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 4:10pmI have a smart phone and a gun. People call me and I keep shooting holes in the ceiling.
Report Post »texasfarmer
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 4:00pmCan I have an app to beam POTUS up?
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 7:19am@TEXASFARMER~~~ other direction!
Report Post »southernORcobra
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:47pmstarting to think some folks are getting in the april fools jokes a bit early
Report Post »mrsmileyface
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:45pmThe fact that I cant walk one end of my town to the other end without being on video camera the entire way and that includes whatever building I walk into also. And thier worried about this. ROFL. They “and whoever THEY are will know were you are at…at all times of the day. With or without a phone. Silly rabbit.
Report Post »SacredHonor1776
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:42pmYay, now the terrorists can detonte IEDs with their cell phones and then delete all evidence that they did so!
Thanks Obama!
Report Post »pittsteele
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:37pm*click-click* can ya hear me now?
Report Post »ripley
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:31pmWhose money are they using to provide these free cell phones?
Report Post »BetsyRoss1513
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 5:58pmWho do you think?
Report Post »welovetheUSA
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:29pmStupid ….any government agency can get a record of all calls made and recieved.
Report Post »Dahart
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:28pmCan just we lob a tennis ball at them……lol :)
Report Post »NickDeringer
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:27pmGee. I’d hate to see this technology get into the hands of terrorists…..oh…wait.
Report Post »REDwhiteBLUEcommrade
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:24pmWhat are the chances that when you hit the panic button, your not just erasing your phone, but transmitting all of its data to some government office with all of the info you gathered.
Report Post »TexasHillsPatriot
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:32pmAnd what are the chances this technology falls into the hands of drug cartels, organized crime, gang members, etc.? I’d say the chances are pretty high.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:24pmI smell spooky dude.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:29pmThat STINKS!
Report Post »saneromeo
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:22pmWouldn’t this would just make it easier for them to see who the rebels talk to since the phone would contact them all at once? I mean, if they keep logs on cell phone usage wouldn’t it just give away all of the stored phone numbers?
Report Post »LadyIzShy
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:19pmsomehow this will be used against us
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:16pmTo bad it doesn’t remote wipe out the debt, the present administration, the progressive socialist, the Fabian socialist’s, the union leadership, the FED, the CFR, the Club of Rome, The knights of Malta, the communists, the liberation theology proponents, om my this list could go on forever.
Report Post »Thanks be to GOD, he has a way cooler “ wipe out” app coming to a planet near us soon, it’s called Jesus.
How much has this cost us I wonder?
elr4
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:16pmI dont expect many will lay down their weapons while fighting to erase thier cellphone.
Report Post »brntout
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:11pmSince it looks like we are destined to be “poor” in freedom soon,does this mean we can get a freebie too?
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:11pm“The story here is not that the government is developing software applications (or PAYING for this development) but rather that we are doing this with the intent that the software is to used to overthrow governments that we deem unfriendly.”
Report Post »~~~~
Hmmmmmmm. Has possibilities here in America!
brntout
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:17pmLike they said not here locally,because it would backfire on them I believe.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:28pmExactly, Brntout!
Report Post »MYTXTREGISTER.COM
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:09pmYou never know what the government will consider “extremist”, better wipe it just in case :)
Report Post »=================================
Help get our country’s financial house in order by starting with your own house – http://mytxtregister.com
Showtime
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:07pmI don’t have a Smart Phone. I have a gun.
Report Post »Non-sequitur
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:10pmAre you USING it like a phone? That may be dangerous.
Report Post »lovenfl3
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:11pmLol, good one. The funny thing about this is that we might be the ones needing an app like this if the messiah wins in 2012. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGMl5TBfepc
Report Post »Lt. Aldo Raine
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:15pmI don’t need a smart phone. As far as guns well……..
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:15pm@Non-sequitur
Report Post »Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:10pm
Are you USING it like a phone? That may be dangerous.
~~~~~~~~~~~
ROFL! I needed that laugh! Thanks for a good one!
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:18pmHow about these app’s for the smart phones:
“Impeach Obama now support line…
Report Post »“Congressman your fired…
“Banish the TSA to gitmo forever…
“Disband the TSA music…
Gonzo
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:20pmHow’s the reception? I have trouble with the camera app. on my .45!
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:21pmSmart Phones…Smart so you don’t have to be.
Report Post »magnum357
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:22pmno gun here, just a smart phone but I have to pay for it apparently I might have to pay for others too.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:24pm@lovenfl3
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:11pm
Somehow, down in my bones and in the back of my head, I don’t see Obama on the ticket in 2012. Either he will have succeeded in declaring martial law or he will have been backed into the “show your papers to prove eligibility” corner at the various Secretaries of States and the level of state election officials and will not be able to do so.
Even if he does slip through the cracks again in 2012, people are awake and aware of what he’s up to and are going to vote for Republicans, conservative Republicans, and TEA Party candidates.
The number of conservatives are outnumbering former liberals in many states; and when businesses move to more tax-friendly from the Progressive states, people will understand the reason and appreciate the new jobs.
We just cannot — CANNOT — allow Obama’s “new” Energy Policy (Cap & Trade) go into effect. That needs to be fought tooth and toenail!
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:26pm@Gonzo ~
Report Post »Not good unless you attach a Sony camera to it.
pappy
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:28pmOK, now look right here & watch for the FLASH! Don’t forget to smile…..
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:30pmShowtime:
One thing I think of reading some posts of us with pistols or guns, is that not too many months ago a man in the Phillipines was assassinated just the instant the camera flashed, catching the muzzle flash of the gun behind and to the side of the victim.
Report Post »M-O-O-N Spells Moon
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 3:46pm@Showtime
“I don’t have a Smart Phone. I have a gun.”
Or you could just have an app on your smartphone that sounds like a gun. I keep wondering if the sound of a pistol racking or a shotgun pump would be enough to deter a crook. Then I think, too, that with my luck I would get a call right after getting the bad guy’s attention.
Report Post »Anti_Spock
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:54pmSHOWTIME… Love it!
Who is behind the movement to trash all cell phones? Well…. that would be me but I don’t have a following.
Report Post »HappyStretchedThin
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 6:27amTypical liberal bureaucratic nonsense. Even the panic button requires a click, then a checkbox for confirmation and another click…Even the language is lawyerese: “I understand that I cannot stop or undo this action”. Duh! That’s why I pressed it!
Report Post »RebelSon
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 9:17amSame. If I ever have to use it, I‘ll draw it from it’s holster and say “Can you hear me now?”
Report Post »DisillusionedDaily
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 10:38amWill someone please develop an app that will wipe the secretary of state clean? That would be the start of an improvement.
Report Post »338lapua
Posted on April 2, 2011 at 10:12amThis sounds like an excellent tool for anyone providing illicit services or products. Drug dealers dump suppliers and customers when they get busted, hookers dump their johns,Planned Parenthood…..well lets not go there.
Report Post »