Former Indian IT MoS Rajeev Chandrashekhar gets into debate with Elon Musk on EVM hacking

The security of electronic voting machines (EVMs) has been a topic of discussion between American entrepreneur Elon Musk and BJP politician Rajeev Chandrasekhar, which has garnered a lot of attention. The hackability of these gadgets, and its consequences for global election system integrity, was the main topic of discussion.

Credits: Hindustan Times

Musk’s Claim: “Everything Can Be Hacked”

Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, kicked off the debate with a broad claim on X (previously Twitter) that “everything can be hacked,” including computerized voting machines. Musk’s remarks were first made in reference to EVMs, which are often used in Puerto Rico and the United States as a whole. Because these devices are frequently connected to networks, they are potentially susceptible to remote hacking attempts.

Chandrasekhar’s Rebuttal: Indian EVMs Are Secure

Renowned BJP leader and former government minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar responded by disputing Musk’s assertions. Not all electronic gadgets, especially non-networked ones, are vulnerable to hacking, according to Chandrasekhar. He gave instances of basic technological gadgets that are unhackable since they are not connected, such as toasters and calculators.

Indian EVMs are included in this category of secure gadgets, Chandrasekhar underlined. Indian EVMs are independent devices without an internet, Wi-Fi, or 5G network connection, in contrast to their Western equivalents. He clarified that by making this design decision, they become immune to hacking efforts, enhancing their dependability and security throughout the voting process.

The Significance of Non-Networked EVMs

The Indian EVM’s design is at the heart of Chandrasekhar’s thesis. By guaranteeing that these devices are not linked to any kind of network, the Indian Election Commission has reduced the possibility of outside interference. It is very difficult, if not impossible, for hackers to change the voting data remotely thanks to this design’s massive reduction of the attack surface.

This fundamental difference highlights a critical aspect of cybersecurity in electoral systems. While networked devices can offer convenience and advanced features,…