Elon Musk Sparks Debate Over EVM Security

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Posted by pallavi on 2024-07-01 04:46:34 |

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 Musk's Concerns on EVM Security

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk recently raised alarms about the vulnerability of electronic voting machines (EVMs) to hacking, suggesting that both artificial intelligence and humans could potentially compromise these systems. His comments, posted on social media platform X, called for the complete elimination of EVMs from elections.

 Indian EVMs: A Secure Alternative?

In response to Musk’s concerns, former Indian Union Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar highlighted the robustness of Indian EVMs. Chandrashekhar explained that unlike voting machines in other countries, Indian EVMs are custom-designed, secure, and isolated from any network or media. This isolation, he argued, makes them immune to hacking attempts via connectivity options like Bluetooth, WiFi, or the Internet. "Indian EVMs are custom designed, secure, and isolated from any network or media - No connectivity, no Bluetooth, WiFi, Internet. There is no way in. Factory programmed controllers that cannot be reprogrammed," Chandrashekhar wrote on X.

 Musk's Skepticism and Indian Assurance

Despite these assurances, Musk maintained his stance, replying, “Anything can be hacked.” This sparked further discussions, with varied opinions emerging on the security of EVMs. Chandrashekhar invited Musk for a tutorial on designing and building secure electronic voting machines, asserting that India has successfully developed such systems.

Political and Public Reactions

Musk’s comments also drew reactions from Indian politicians. BJP’s Andhra Pradesh unit chief D Purandeswari appealed to the Election Commission to invite Musk to India to attempt hacking the country's EVMs. This invitation was in response to Musk’s assertion that EVMs could be compromised.

Broader Context: The Need for Secure Elections

The debate comes at a time when electoral integrity is a critical issue globally. Robert Kennedy, running for the US presidential elections as an independent candidate, cited an Associated Press report on voting irregularities, stressing the importance of a paper trail to identify and correct issues.

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