> Even the NSA doesn't have the resources to intercept and modify all the shipments Your words are close to truth, but not equal to it. I don't know exact reso

> Even the NSA doesn't have the resources to intercept and modify all the shipments Your words are close to truth, but not equal to it. I don't know exact resources of NSA, but I know businesses in exUSSR, who done exactly what you say with smartphones and audio/video. This was grey scheme of import, with which imported more then 90% of tech in these countries, and this was reason, why Sony was condemned in Russia in 90s "for extremely low quality" (because local Sony representatives participated in scheme and central office closed eyes on this). So, in Eastern Europe that time existed zero import taxes for electronics. They imported electronics, disassembled it to parts, and exported to exUSSR as garbage; then these parts reassembled in garages and sold in ordinary shops as new devices. As I said, more then 90% reassembled, only less than 10% imported as ordinary contraband, or officially imported. For scale, as I remember, US have about 300mln population, Russia have 140mln, approx half (sure, Russians have much less purchasing power, but it is hard to estimate now, if may help, Russia GDP is very close to Italy with about 59mln population). > Apple has pretty strict security in their supply chain Must admit, Apple have better security than other manufacturers, but grey iPhones still sold in Russia, so real hackers found ways.