Homeland Security uses MySpace for alerts

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has developed a tool for MySpace users to get emergency broadcast warnings for natural disasters.

The tool was first deployed after Hurricane Gustav came ashore at the start of last week.

Officials from the DHS asked MySpace to fast-track the applications after the storm hit, and the service went live on Tuesday.

"What MySpace is doing with the DHS and the Federal Emergency Management Agency is the beginning of bigger things to come," MySpace chief security officer Hemanshu Nigam told Agence France-Presse.

"Tragedy often inspires people to do great things and this has happened here. "

The software links into Federal emergency warnings, but is also being used to track people displaced by the storms.

"MySpace is allowing me to keep my friends and family updated on our situation," a woman by the name of 'Becca' wrote in a message posted on Tuesday to a profile page of MySpace president Tom Anderson. "Thank you so much, from my heart."

See also:

Feds claim right to laptops

Computers can be seized and held indefinitely by DHS  04 Aug 2008

US talks up biometric border protection

Biometrics-at-Sea programme hailed a success  15 Nov 2007

Homeland Security warns on US power threat

Publication details protections against physical and cyber attacks  30 Jul 2007

US to keep UK personal data for 17 years

Department of Homeland Security wants a file on everyone  24 Jul 2007

US completes Cyber Storm world hack

Department of Homeland Security claims success for IT security exercise  15 Feb 2006

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