According to CNN sources, the Chinese spy balloon that crossed into US airspace in January 2023 was able to gather imagery and signals intelligence from US military sites during its journey. The balloon was equipped to transmit the data it gathered back to Beijing in real-time, raising concerns about whether there is intelligence that the US government is still not aware of. While officials have said that they were able to protect sensitive sites and censor some signals before the balloon was able to gather them, it is not clear whether the Chinese government was able to wipe the balloon's data as it received it. The FBI is still investigating the craft's algorithms, software, and design. The balloon was eventually shot down off the coast of South Carolina in early February, prompting tensions between the US and China. While the Biden administration says it did not take immediate action earlier due to concerns about potential harm to civilians, critics question why the balloon was not immediately shot down once it crossed into US territory.