When ET phones, don’t pick up.

Scientists have outlined a set of protocols for responding to extraterrestrial contact, including a bizarre directive to refrain from answering cosmic correspondence.

Adopted by the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), the eight principles were designed to guide “individuals, institutions and other entities participating in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), a scientific field dedicating to scanning the cosmos for radio and laser signals.

Originally developed by the IAA and SETI between 2022 and 2025, these guidelines were recently updated and released earlier this month.

This comes after the US government released two batches of files related to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPS). These included declassified pages from the FBI’s UFO case files, reports of bizarre encounters by military pilots, and footage taken by military aircraft that appeared to to show mysterious flying objects.

In the event of alleged contact, the extraterrestrial signal should be rigorously scrutinized in collaboration with other investigators and verified by multiple independent orgs employing different instruments or methods.

“It is crucial to uphold the highest standards of scientific responsibility and integrity throughout this process,” they write.

As initial findings could be incomplete or hard to interpret, this vetting process could take months or even years.

If the evidence of intelligent ETs is confirmed, investigators must immediately inform the public, scientific community and even the United Nations.

In general, responses to inquires should be “prompt, accurate and honest” whether or not the signature in question is confirmed to be of extraterrestrial origin or not.

At the same time, per the principles, the signal should be kept safe from interference while scientists should seek international agreements that allow said records should be kept in secure archives around the globe.

One of the most important rules of receiving a cosmic communique? Don’t engage without consulting the proper authorities, per the doc.

“Pending the outcome of such consultations, no reply should be sent,” the doc warns. “These consultations should be conducted through the United Nations and other broadly representative international bodies.”

They add, “the specific procedures for such consultations are to be outlined in a separate agreement, declaration, or arrangement to ensure a coordinated and responsible approach.”

Naturally, any announcement of alien contact is bound to prompt accusations of conspiracy-mongering. So while ensuring transparency and honesty, organizations should also take appropriate steps to safeguard the whistleblowers from harassment, security threats and “negative professional repercussions,” per the doc.

In this vein, it’s essential be wary of social media and nip rumors in the bud to prevent the world from being thrown into flux by misinformation and false alarms.

To aid in this regard, the IAA and SETI will convene an international post-detection committee — comprising experts in science, experts, law and other relevant fields — with the goal of guiding the global reaction.

Their primary directive: to assist humanity in handling the implications of discovering that we’re not alone in the universe.

It’s perhaps a relevant mission during a time when once-fringe beliefs in extraterrestrials are becoming more accepted by the mainstream. Included in the government’s disclosure offensive were multiple recent accounts by military personnel, including footage taken by an US Coast Guard’s infrared sensor that appeared to show an object flying near a plane over the Southeastern US in April 2024.

Meanwhile, a report from a US intelligence officer detailed how he spotted mysterious “orange orbs” next to his helicopter while on a mission late last year.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared that the documents and footage of the UAPs have long sparked speculation.

“It’s time the American people see it for themselves,” he said.