In a bizarre incident, audio-enabled traffic control crosswalk buttons across Silicon Valley were hacked over the weekend to include audio snippets imitating the voices of Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk. The hacked buttons, which are designed to assist visually impaired pedestrians, were found in Menlo Park, Palo Alto, and Redwood City in California.

Videos taken by locals show the crosswalk buttons playing AI-generated speech designed to sound like the two billionaires. One button, hacked to sound like Zuckerberg, was heard saying, "It's normal to feel uncomfortable or even violated as we forcefully insert AI into every facet of your conscious experience. I just want to assure you, you don't need to worry because there's absolutely nothing you can do to stop it." Another button, hacked to sound like Musk, said, "I guess they say money can't buy happiness…I guess that's true. God knows I've tried. But it can buy a Cybertruck and that's pretty sick, right?" The Musk voice also added, "F—k, I'm so alone."

The motives behind the hacking incident are unclear, but signs point to possible hacktivism. The hacked buttons have sparked concerns about security and accessibility, as audio-enabled crosswalk buttons are widely used across the United States to assist visually impaired pedestrians. The incident raises questions about the vulnerability of these systems and the potential consequences of such hacks.

According to Palo Alto Online, a Redwood City official stated that the city is "actively working to investigate and resolve the issue as quickly as possible." The outlet reported that the tamperings may have occurred on Friday. Polara, the company that manufactures the audio-enabled crosswalk buttons, did not respond to a request for comment when contacted by TechCrunch on Monday.

The incident highlights the importance of cybersecurity in infrastructure and accessibility systems. In a video from 2024, physical penetration specialist and security researcher Deviant Ollam explained how audio-enabled crosswalk buttons can be manipulated, often through default-set passwords that have not been changed. This incident serves as a reminder for companies and municipalities to prioritize security and protect vulnerable systems from potential hacks.

The hacking of crosswalk buttons also raises questions about the role of AI in our daily lives. The use of AI-generated speech to mimic the voices of prominent figures like Zuckerberg and Musk adds a layer of complexity to the incident. As AI technology becomes more prevalent, it's essential to consider the potential consequences of its misuse.

In conclusion, the hacking of Silicon Valley's crosswalk buttons is a concerning incident that highlights the need for increased security measures in infrastructure and accessibility systems. As technology continues to evolve, it's crucial to prioritize security and protect vulnerable systems from potential hacks. The incident also serves as a reminder to consider the potential consequences of AI misuse and to ensure that these technologies are developed and used responsibly.