Crosswalk buttons in Seattle have been hacked to play audio messages that poke fun at high-profile billionaires like Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos, causing a stir across social media.
Multiple reports indicate that numerous crosswalk buttons in the city have been altered, with recordings of an AI-generated voice mimicking Bezos becoming particularly popular.
A Redditor shared a video captured from a crosswalk button in Seattle’s University District.
Typically, pressing the button prompts a voice to announce, “Wait, wait, wait,” before indicating when pedestrians can cross the street.
However, in this instance, when the button is pushed, the audio takes a different tone altogether.
“Hi, I’m Jeff Bezos.
This crosswalk is sponsored by Amazon Prime, with an important message — y’know, please, please don’t tax the rich, uh, otherwise the other billionaires will move to Florida, too,” the AI Bezos voice says.
The message mockingly continues, “W-Wouldn’t it be terrible if all the rich people left Seattle, or got Luigi’d, and then… and then normal people could afford to live here again?”
To add a comedic touch to the message, the song “Bezos I” by Bo Burnham, which contains explicit lyrics, plays in the background, humorously praising Bezos.
This audio prank has ignited conversations about wealth inequality and the real estate crisis exacerbated by Seattle’s tech boom in the 1990s and 2000s.
As significant figures in the technology industry, Bezos and others are often blamed for inflating real estate prices that are out of reach for many residents.
Reports indicate that the median contract rent in Seattle back in 1990 was $425, but by 2025, it is projected to exceed $2,000.
Moreover, Washington state’s tax system is notable for lacking an income tax while imposing one of the highest sales tax rates in the nation.
Critics have raised concerns about the affordability of living in Seattle, especially as conversations around a wealth tax continue to be stymied by legislative roadblocks.
Governor Bob Ferguson has openly expressed his opposition to such tax initiatives.
The mention of “getting Luigi’d” refers to the trial of Luigi Mangione, who is currently facing charges related to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Thompson was killed while outside a hotel in Manhattan, prompting polarized public responses.
Some people expressed condolences for Thompson’s family while others used the incident to critique the U.S. healthcare system.
Discussions surrounding this case have also sparked some humorous takes, with people praising Mangione or showing indifference to Thompson’s death.
As the largest healthcare insurer in the United States, UnitedHealthcare has faced scrutiny, especially following reported claim denials despite substantial revenue in the last fiscal year.
The hacked audio messages at Seattle’s crosswalks underscore a growing resentment and frustration towards the ultra-wealthy, particularly those who have significantly impacted the local economy and housing market.
Responding to the situation, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) confirmed that they have already repaired several of the hacked crosswalk buttons.
Officials from SDOT reported receiving notifications about the unauthorized recordings at several locations including:
15th Ave NE & NE 45th St,
15th Ave NE & NE 43rd St,
Brooklyn Ave NE & NE 45th St,
Fairview Ave & Denny Way, and
35th Ave NE & NE 70th St.
“The audio recordings at crosswalks play a critical role for people who are blind or have limited vision, helping them to cross streets safely,” stated an SDOT representative.
The representative further expressed concern regarding the disregard for the safety of individuals to conduct such a political statement.
“We take this matter seriously and are working as fast as we can to respond to the situation.
We are also working with our vendor to explore stronger security measures to prevent future hacking,” the statement continued.
City officials urge residents to report any hacked crosswalks through their Find It, Fix It app, completing an online form, calling (206) 684-7623, or emailing [email protected].
image source from：https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/seattle-crosswalk-hacked-jeff-bezos
