‘Hi, I’m Jeff Bezos’: Hackers alter audio messages at Seattle crosswalks
Apr 16, 2025, 4:30 PM | Updated: 8:19 pm
A crosswalk in Seattle's University District near the UW campus. (MyNorthwest file photo)
(MyNorthwest file photo)
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) said several crosswalk buttons have been altered to play fake audio messages.
In a video posted on Reddit, one crosswalk message was changed to say, “Hi, I’m Jeff Bezos. This crosswalk is sponsored by Amazon Prime with an important message, please don’t tax the rich, otherwise, all the other billionaires will move to Florida too…”
Someone hacked the crosswalks in the U District
byu/nrr1617 inSeattle
SDOT said it has corrected the messages at multiple locations and is continuing to respond to more tampered push buttons as it learns of them.
The agency said it had responded to tampered crosswalk push buttons in six locations:
- 15th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 45th Street.
- 15th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 43rd Street.
- Brooklyn Avenue Northeast and Northeast 45th Street.
- Fairview Avenue and Denny Way.
- 35th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 70th Street.
“The audio recordings at crosswalks play a critical role for people who are blind or have limited vision, helping them cross streets safely,” SDOT said in a statement emailed to KIRO Newsradio. “We are concerned that someone would disregard the safety of people to make a political statement.”
SDOT said it is working with its vendor to find ways to enhance security and prevent future hacking.
If you find a hacked crosswalk push button, you are asked to report it using one of the following methods:
- Use the Find It, Fix It app (available on the Google Play Store and iPhone App Store).
- Using this online form.
- Call 206-684-ROAD (7623).
- Email 684-ROAD@seattle.gov.
