Apple warns iPhone users in 110 countries of mercenary spyware attacks

Apple has issued unprecedented threat notifications to iPhone users across 110 countries, warning of potential targeted attacks by mercenary spyware. These alerts, which appear on lock screens, in settings, and via email, notify users that Apple has detected activity consistent with highly sophisticated spyware attacks.

While the notifications do not necessarily mean a device has been successfully compromised, they indicate that Apple’s threat intelligence has identified specific users being targeted. This type of spyware, often sold by private firms like NSO Group to government clients, is designed to intercept messages, photos, and location data.

In conjunction with these warnings, Apple released an emergency security update to address critical vulnerabilities. One major flaw, identified as CVE-2026-20700, involved memory corruption that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands. Apple recommends that users who receive a threat notification immediately activate Lockdown Mode and seek assistance from security experts.