Was the Space Needle’s paint design contest rigged?
Feb 15, 2013, 9:49 AM | Updated: 9:56 am
An investigation by KIRO TV finds hackers manipulated the vote in the Space Needle's design contest to paint a new top to the Seattle landmark. (Linda Thomas photo)
(Linda Thomas photo)
An international design contest to repaint the Space Needle for its 50th anniversary appears to have been manipulated by computer hackers.
KIRO 7 TV investigative reporter Chris Halsne found strong evidence that someone on the outside hacked into the contest’s online voting system to give the current trees design on top of the needle the most votes.
Before that, “Deep Blue Sea” designed by local artist Ryan “Henry” Ward was the clear winner.
While acknowledging Halsne’s research is correct, the private company that owns the Space Needle points out contest rules stated Space Needle officials had sole discretion to declare a winner — even if that winner failed to receive the popular vote.
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And, have a great weekend.
By LINDA THOMAS
