Anker Charger, 65W 3-Port Fast Compact Foldable USB C Charger Block $24

BeerNomad

Today 2:40 PM

1.1K Comments

Joined Sep 2011

BeerNomadToday 2:40 PM

1.1K Comments

Quote from LavenderIdea284

:

ccp spyware

How can a charger be spyware?

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LavenderIdea284

Today 2:45 PM

265 Comments

Joined Nov 2025

LavenderIdea284Today 2:45 PM

265 Comments

Quote from BeerNomad

:

How can a charger be spyware?

It's actually pretty simple. Older Android and iPhone devices can be compromised directly through USB or other vulnerabilities. On newer devices, if the user accidentally grants the charger/device permissions, the phone can potentially be compromised as well.
The most straightforward approach would be to exfiltrate the device's data to a CCP-controlled server after gaining access. A more sophisticated approach could involve using the granted permissions to emulate an external keyboard or mouse and navigate to a specified URL. The server could then fingerprint the device model and OS version and dynamically determine what to do next.

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JasonS1468

Today 2:54 PM

840 Comments

Joined Dec 2016

JasonS1468Today 2:54 PM

840 Comments

Quote from LavenderIdea284

:

It's actually pretty simple. Older Android and iPhone devices can be compromised directly through USB or other vulnerabilities. On newer devices, if the user accidentally grants the charger/device permissions, the phone can potentially be compromised as well.The most straightforward approach would be to exfiltrate the device's data to a CCP-controlled server after gaining access. A more sophisticated approach could involve using the granted permissions to emulate an external keyboard or mouse and navigate to a specified URL. The server could then fingerprint the device model and OS version and dynamically determine what to do next.

You are supposed to wear the tinfoil not smoke it.

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LavenderIdea284

Today 3:03 PM

265 Comments

Joined Nov 2025

LavenderIdea284Today 3:03 PM

265 Comments

Quote from JasonS1468

:

You are supposed to wear the tinfoil not smoke it.

You don't know about something just because you haven't encountered it. That doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

If you have an iPhone with a USB-C port, there's actually a very simple way to test your charger. Turn on Lockdown Mode in iOS. On most models, under Privacy & Security, the "Wired Accessories" setting will automatically switch to "Always Ask." Then connect your charger.
I've found that some Chinese-made chargers will trigger a prompt asking whether you trust the connected device. That means the charger is doing something beyond simply supplying power. Of course, that doesn't automatically mean the charger is malicious but an ordinary user has no way to detect whether that is benign or malicious.

I've tested this myself: Apple's own chargers don't trigger the prompt, and neither do Meta Oculus chargers. I've also seen reports that Samsung S20 chargers don't trigger it, although I haven't personally tested it.

And remember to turn Lockdown Mode off after testing. It's a very restrictive security mode and can cause many apps and services to behave abnormally.

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Anker Charger, 65W 3-Port Fast Compact Foldable USB C Charger Block $24

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