DoJ applauds Facebook for rolling out Amber Alerts to news feeds

Facebook and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children have teamed up to bring Amber Alert messages to the No. 1 social networking website. The new alert system will post images to users in the same geographic targeted area, with users unable to opt out of the alerts - though they can be deleted.

"These alerts, which include photographs and other details about the missing child, are shown on mobile and desktop," a Facebook press release states. "People can share the alert with friends and link directly to the National Center's missing child poster, which always has the most up-to-date information about the case."

Amber Alerts were created as a method for law enforcement, wireless carriers, transportation agencies and broadcasters to share data on missing children.

Not surprisingly, US officials are happy with Facebook's decision to introduce Amber Alerts: "I commend Facebook for taking this bold and important step to expand the reach of the critically important Amber Alerts," said Congressman Chaka Fattah (D - PA).