Opinion
The Silent Danger Lurking in Digital Pagers
Weaponized communication devices could lead to widespread chaos and destabilization
Batteries on Fire
Many years ago, I purchased a backup Lithium battery to lug around to keep my phone charged. I was younger and felt I needed to be constantly online. My iPhone 5 at the time needed to be charged twice daily.
The backup battery worked well until one day it didn’t. I noticed the frame swelling and the innards of the thing pillowing out and pressing the case apart from the inside.
As I watched — though it was not plugged in, the damn thing caught fire. There was a bright white spark, then flames and fumes.
I held my breath (not wanting to breathe that sh*t), and kicked the thing downstairs. Half way down, there was a loud snapping sound and a cloud of smoke belched up into the air as pieces of the battery rained down.
It was terrifying. If I was holding the damn thing, I’d have lost a hand.
Exploding devices
It didn’t surprise me then, to learn that mobile devices were exploding across Lebanon. I’ve seen first hand how dangerous batteries can be. It was only when I followed up the…