IOS7 throws an error for fake power cables

There's a small chip in real lightning cables, which possibly includes some authentication information. Cloned lightning cables may be identified by this chip not reporting a serial number properly, I don't know for sure.[1]

If they didn't allow charging with non-Apple cables the hue and cry would be deafening. The warning is there to cover themselves in cases like that lady who was electrocuted by a 3rd party charger.[2]

[1] http://www.cultofmac.com/196148/the-security-chip-inside-app...

[2] http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1283818/woman-electro...

Am curious how they find this out? Am happy they don't disable charging altogether and instead only display a warning.