April 15, 2025
Tech News
Audio-enabled crosswalk buttons in Silicon Valley were recently hacked to play AI-generated voices. Videos have emerged from Menlo Park, Palo Alto, and Redwood City, showcasing unusual speech that made pedestrians double-take, with one button lamenting eerie, dystopian remarks.
The tampering has raised significant concerns about the security of public infrastructure. Local authorities, including officials from Redwood City, have begun an investigation to determine the cause and nature of the audio system breaches, which reportedly occurred on Friday.
In another significant development, DaVita, a major dialysis service provider, experienced a cyberattack that encrypted parts of its network over the weekend. Despite the disruption, DaVita assured patients that care would continue while the company sought to restore its systems. The firm discovered the ransomware attack on Saturday and is currently working with cybersecurity professionals and law enforcement to assess the situation.
DaVita operates nearly 3,000 outpatient clinics across the U.S., providing critical dialysis services to a vast number of patients, with the recent incident adding to ongoing concerns regarding cybersecurity within the healthcare industry. This attack follows a series of similar incidents, including a major breach affecting rival Fresenius Medical Care.
Tech Explained
Crosswalk Button – A device installed at pedestrian crossings that plays audio messages to assist those with visual impairments. These buttons indicate when it is safe to cross streets by providing verbal cues to users.
Hacktivism – The act of using hacking techniques for social or political purposes. In this case, the voice modifications of prominent tech figures in crosswalk buttons suggest a form of protest or commentary on the integration of AI into daily life.
Ransomware – A type of malicious software that encrypts a victim’s files, rendering them inaccessible until a ransom is paid to the attackers. This tactic has been increasingly deployed against healthcare providers, impacting their operations and patient care.
Cybersecurity – The protection of internet-connected systems from cyberattacks. In DaVita’s case, the company enlisted third-party experts to evaluate the ransomware incident and safeguard its network against future breaches.
Visual Impairment – A condition that affects a person’s ability to see, which can make navigating public spaces more difficult. Audio-enabled crosswalk buttons directly assist those with visual impairments by providing auditory messages to signal safe crossing times.
