China's main television channel CCTV reported that police had seized a large batch of foreign spyware.
External batteries could also perform theirstandard function. However, they had built-in GPS and cellular modules with a SIM card, as well as a microphone. The devices tracked the owner’s location and transmitted data to the attackers. Criminals could also call the power bank and hear what was happening around it. In addition, the devices have an automatic recording function at noise levels above 50 dB. Journalists note that this is the average volume of human speech.
The police found about two thousand of thesepower banks. It is reported that outwardly such batteries cannot be distinguished from ordinary ones. The author of the 3DNews publication writes that he looked for similar devices on the Internet and saw that they are available for free sale.