Hackers Disrupt NJ Elections Meeting with Disturbing Zoom Bomb
UPDATE: A shocking cyberattack disrupted a crucial online meeting of New Jersey’s Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) just 10 minutes after it began on Thursday, July 20, 2023. The session, intended to discuss sponsorships for the upcoming gubernatorial debates in September, was abruptly halted when hackers unleashed a barrage of racist and pornographic material during the live broadcast.
As commissioners attempted to proceed with their agenda, participants were blasted with jarring sounds, including sirens and alarms, which prompted moderators to remind attendees to mute their microphones. However, the chaos escalated dramatically as screens filled with explicit images, some displaying swastikas, while a song containing repeated racial slurs played loudly. The pandemonium lasted for around a minute before officials swiftly decided to cancel the meeting.
In an official statement, the ELEC condemned the incident, stating,
“Internet hackers perpetrated a vile and shocking breach of public trust. ELEC ended the meeting as quickly as possible and offers its apologies to all who witnessed the attack.”
The commission has announced that the meeting will be rescheduled for Tuesday, July 25, 2023, with additional safeguards in place to prevent a recurrence of this disturbing event.
This unprecedented online disruption has raised serious concerns about the security of virtual meetings, especially for governmental bodies. As authorities investigate this incident, the implications of such attacks could influence how public meetings are conducted in the future.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops. The need for secure communication methods is more pressing than ever, and the public will be watching closely to see how the ELEC responds to this breach.
