Fact check: Are there any documented instances of voting machine tampering linked to Eaton or Palantir?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the comprehensive analysis of available sources, there are no documented instances of voting machine tampering specifically linked to Eaton or Palantir. The search results reveal several documented cases of voting machine tampering, but none involve these two companies.

The documented tampering cases include:

• Michigan 2020 election case involving individuals connected to former President Donald Trump ^[1]
• Tina Peters case in Colorado, where the former county election official was sentenced to nine years in prison for tampering with voting machines after the 2020 presidential election ^[2]

Regarding Palantir specifically, the sources show the company's involvement with US government contracts and data analytics work ^[3], and Democratic lawmakers have pushed for answers regarding reports of an IRS 'mega-database' ^[4], but no connection to voting machine tampering is documented.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important context about the broader landscape of voting machine security concerns:

• General vulnerabilities exist in voting machines and ballot scanners, as identified by security researchers ^[5]
• Disinformation campaigns actively work to undermine public confidence in election security, with false claims about cyberattacks on voter registration databases ^[6]
• Human error rather than machine tampering is often responsible for voting machine issues that get mischaracterized as deliberate manipulation ^[7]

The question also doesn't acknowledge that election security threats in 2024 extend beyond just data leaks and hacks to include physical threats and disinformation campaigns ^[8].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

While the original question appears neutral as an inquiry, it may inadvertently perpetuate unfounded suspicions about specific companies without evidence. The FBI and CISA have specifically warned about "false claims of hacked voter information likely intended to sow distrust of U.S. elections" ^[6].

The question's focus on Eaton and Palantir without providing context for why these companies would be suspected could contribute to the spread of unsubstantiated conspiracy theories about election integrity. The sources consistently show that documented voting machine tampering cases involve individual actors rather than corporate entities, and problems with voting machines are typically attributed to human error rather than systematic manipulation ^[7].

Election security experts emphasize that while vulnerabilities exist in voting systems, the focus should be on evidence-based improvements rather than speculation about specific companies without documented proof ^{[5] [8]}.