Tampering

Tampering refers to the deliberate and unauthorized interference with something in order to damage it, alter its appearance, or render it ineffective. This can involve manipulating physical objects, data, software, or processes with the intention of subverting their original function or intended purpose. tampering often implies deceit or malice, violating trust or agreements, and potentially leading to illegal or harmful consequences. The act can vary greatly in severity, ranging from minor alterations to major acts of sabotage depending on what is tampered with, and the extent of the alterations.

Tampering meaning with examples

• Investigators discovered evidence of tampering with the election ballots, raising concerns about the validity of the results. This included marks, changes and alterations that could be used for fraud and manipulation in order to influence the voting process. The integrity of the election was now in question, with significant risks of voter distrust and legal challenges.
• The software company accused a rival firm of tampering with its code, claiming that they had stolen intellectual property and introduced malicious code to undermine their products. This resulted in legal actions and public accusations of unethical behaviour.
• Security experts warned of the risks of tampering with a home security system, pointing out that if the system was accessed without authorization, it could jeopardize the safety of residents. By disabling or altering the security settings, intruders could gain access undetected or render the alarm useless.
• The athletes were banned from the competition after it was found that they had been tampering with their blood samples in an effort to use performance enhancing drugs. This action was a violation of the rules, and harmed other athletes who were not attempting to cheat.
• Witnesses reported seeing someone tampering with the brakes of the car before the accident. The police investigated this to see if it was intentional, and to determine what charges, such as attempted murder, could be applied.