started · updated
Apple issues spyware threat alerts to iPhone users in 110 countries
Apple has issued a new wave of high-priority threat notifications to iPhone users in 110 countries, warning of potential mercenary spyware attacks. These sophisticated, state-linked surveillance tools are designed to target specific individuals, such as journalists, activists, politicians, and diplomats, rather than the general public.
In a notable change to its notification system, Apple is now delivering these alerts directly to the iPhone Lock Screen and within the device's Settings app. This update aims to ensure that critical warnings are not missed in email spam folders or ignored as phishing attempts. The company has been issuing such warnings since 2021, with the total number of countries reached now exceeding 150.
Apple describes these attacks as highly advanced and costly to execute. To mitigate risks, the company advises affected users to enable Lockdown Mode and seek specialized assistance from organizations like Access Now. Users are encouraged to verify the legitimacy of any alert by signing into their official Apple account at account.apple.com.
Entities
Access Now · Apple · Citizen Lab · Cytrox · NSO Group
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Users can verify the legitimacy of an alert by signing into account.apple.com. dev.to
- [● 2 SOURCES] Alerts now appear as notifications on the iPhone Lock Screen and within the Settings app. www.actualidadiphone.com · dev.to
- [● 3 SOURCES] Targeted individuals often include journalists, activists, politicians, and diplomats. gr.pcmag.com · www.latestly.com · www.analyticsinsight.net
- [● 3 SOURCES] Since the launch of the system, Apple has sent alerts to users in over 150 countries. android-mt.ouest-france.fr · gr.pcmag.com · dev.to
- [● 2 SOURCES] Apple recommends enabling Lockdown Mode for users who receive these notifications. gr.pcmag.com · www.analyticsinsight.net
- [● 6 SOURCES] The latest wave of notifications was sent to users in 110 countries on August 13. android-mt.ouest-france.fr · gr.pcmag.com · www.actualidadiphone.com · www.latestly.com · www.analyticsinsight.net · +1 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] Apple has issued threat notifications to users regarding mercenary spyware attacks. android-mt.ouest-france.fr · gr.pcmag.com · www.actualidadiphone.com · www.latestly.com · laverdadnoticias.com · +2 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] Mercenary spyware attacks are highly sophisticated, expensive to develop, and often linked to state actors. gr.pcmag.com · www.latestly.com · www.analyticsinsight.net
- [● 3 SOURCES] Since 2021, Apple has issued these warnings to users in approximately 150 countries total. android-mt.ouest-france.fr · gr.pcmag.com · dev.to
- [● 3 SOURCES] Targeted individuals include journalists, activists, politicians, and diplomats. gr.pcmag.com · www.latestly.com · www.analyticsinsight.net
- [● 5 SOURCES] The latest round of notifications was sent to users in 110 countries on August 13. android-mt.ouest-france.fr · gr.pcmag.com · www.latestly.com · www.analyticsinsight.net · dev.to
- [● 7 SOURCES] Apple has issued threat notifications to iPhone users regarding mercenary spyware attacks. android-mt.ouest-france.fr · gr.pcmag.com · www.actualidadiphone.com · www.latestly.com · laverdadnoticias.com · +2 more