According to the report, contractors of the construction are the ones who own the sign, but according to city law, it's the city that's responsible for any messages displayed. The intersection where the hack occurred was near the high-traffic boulevard in the city and the sign was being used for a nearby construction project, just like it's used everywhere else. According to a report by the local NBC News affiliate in Austin, the type of hack perpetrated is a class C misdemeanor which is punishable with a fine up to $500.
Despite the fact that no one was apparently hurt on the road during the few hours the signs were hacked, it's not surprising the authorities immediately took a harsh view on the activity.Īustin Public Works representative Sara Hartley went on the record within hours of the hack with threats of indictment for the as-yet-unknown prankster.
