Hackers Reprogram Crosswalk Signals with AI Messages from Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg

In April 2025, hackers gained unauthorized access to crosswalk signals in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Redwood City, California, reprogramming them to broadcast satirical messages using AI-generated voices of tech billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. The incident was made possible due to Caltrans' failure to change default factory passwords on the crosswalk systems, despite prior warnings from manufacturers.

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The hackers exploited the Bluetooth-controlled crosswalk systems, which were vulnerable because Caltrans did not update the factory-set passwords. Ahmad Banafa, a technology professor at San Jose State University, noted that this breach was not a sophisticated cyberattack but rather a result of basic human error. “This is basically hacking because somebody left the door open,” he stated, emphasizing that the weakest link in cybersecurity is often human oversight.

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The prank messages included humorous quips from the AI-generated voices. For instance, one message attributed to Musk stated, “You know, they say money can’t buy happiness. And, yeah, OK, I guess that’s true; God knows I’ve tried. But it can buy a Cybertruck, and that’s pretty sick, right?” Another message humorously referenced former President Donald Trump, showcasing the light-hearted nature of the hack.

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Following the discovery of the altered messages, city officials acted swiftly to disable the sound features at the affected crosswalks. Meghan Horrigan-Taylor, a spokesperson for the city, confirmed that 12 intersections were impacted and that the issue was isolated to these locations. Caltrans has been contacted for further comments regarding the security breach.

The Independent

The public response to the incident was largely one of amusement rather than concern. Local resident Daniel Martin remarked, “I think it's more of a funny prank. Now if they told people to cross when the [traffic] light was green, then I would say that was a malicious prank.” This sentiment reflects a broader view that the hackers' intentions were more playful than harmful.

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Despite the humorous outcome, the incident raised significant concerns about cybersecurity practices in public infrastructure. The ease with which the hackers accessed the systems highlighted vulnerabilities that could be exploited by more malicious actors. Experts warn that if such security lapses are not addressed, the potential for serious disruptions to city infrastructure remains a critical issue.

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• “This is not high-tech hacking, This is basically hacking because somebody left the door open,” — Ahmad Banafa, Technology Professor

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• “Hi, this is Mark Zuckerberg, but real ones call me the Zuck,” — AI-generated message from the crosswalk

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• “I think it's more of a funny prank,” — Daniel Martin, Local Resident

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The hacking of crosswalk signals in Silicon Valley serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of cybersecurity in public systems. While the incident provided a moment of levity, it also underscores the need for vigilance in protecting critical infrastructure from potential threats.

The Independent