Covert Technologies on American Highways
American road infrastructure may be equipped with covert communication technologies. Federal agencies recently published a warning about radio receivers installed in solar equipment, such as road signs. Although the exact reasons for their presence are unknown, there are concerns that they could be used as kill switches or for espionage purposes.
Warning from Authorities
The United States constantly faces threats from foreign adversaries, and a new message from the Federal Highway Administration points to potential technological risks hidden in plain sight. According to sources, authorized bodies recommend checking solar equipment, including road signs, cameras, and weather stations, for the presence of “illegal devices”.
The message specifically mentions that undocumented cellular radio receivers have been detected “in certain foreign-made inverters and battery management systems.” Although the country of origin is not named, the majority of such equipment is manufactured in China.
Potential Threats
It is unclear why the components have hidden radio receivers, but the warning mentions risks including data theft and simultaneous failures. This means they could be used to collect traffic information or even for espionage.
The government also hints at a more sinister scenario: the devices may have a “kill switch” function capable of paralyzing road infrastructure during a large-scale attack, causing chaos and traffic jams.
Search for Solutions
For now, there are more questions than answers, but the government proposes using spectral analysis technologies to scan the infrastructure for unexpected communications. If detected, it advises turning off or removing such devices.
The Chinese embassy in the US denied the allegations, stating that the country opposes “the distortion and discrediting of its achievements in the field of energy infrastructure.”
This situation highlights how critical the security of technological solutions in public space is, especially when they may have hidden functions. Implementing protective measures and regular inspections are becoming increasingly important in a world where technology is often used for various, sometimes dangerous, purposes.