A mechanism has been created for the secondary distribution of AMBER Alerts through agreements between the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and national companies, such as Google, Facebook, the Federation for Internet Alerts, and the Out of Home Advertising Association.
When NCMEC receives AMBER Alerts from Department of Justice-recognized AMBER Alert coordinators, it disseminates the Alerts to the secondary distributors. The Alert is then transmitted to employees, customers, or the public in the targeted areas, which are identified by zip code, within the state that issued the Alert.
If the activating agency wishes to transmit the alert outside state lines, they must request activations from AMBER Alert Coordinators in the other state or states. NCMEC works closely with the AMBER Alert Coordinators to avoid the dissemination of incorrect or duplicate information through private vendors.
The AMBER Alert Secondary Distribution system has proven effective in recovering abducted children. Having access to the notification capabilities of large companies and federal law enforcement resources through this secondary distribution process greatly increases the chances for abducted children to be safely recovered.