Facebook launches Amber Alerts in Canada
Facebook will launch Amber Alerts in Canada this week.
The system, which was launched on the social media site earlier this year, issues alerts to users in targeted locations when children are missing. The alerts include pictures of the missing children along with other relevant information.
So far, more than 40 alerts have been issued via Facebook in the US, and one child has been successfully recovered.
“We’re only going to deliver these alerts to people who may actually be in the search area. So if a child goes missing in Ottawa, people in Toronto won’t see the message,” Facebook trust and safety manager Emily Vacher told a Canadian television station.
“It’s only going to be people who may have that critical piece of information that will lead to bringing that child home safely.”
Facebook Amber Alerts will be available in all ten provinces, but in none of the territories.