Apple warns users in 99 countries about mercenary spyware attacks
Apple has notified users in 99 countries of potential mercenary spyware attacks as German authorities investigate targeted officials.
Apple has reportedly sent security notifications to users in 99 countries, warning them that they may have been targeted by sophisticated mercenary spyware attacks. This wave of alerts coincides with an active investigation in Germany regarding potential targeting of lawmakers and government officials.
- Apple sent threat notifications to users across 99 countries worldwide.
- German authorities launched an urgent investigation after officials received alerts.
- The attacks allegedly utilized zero-click vulnerabilities requiring only a phone number.
Investigation details in Germany
According to reports from The Financial Times, German lawmakers and government officials began receiving threat alerts from Apple, prompting the country's Federal Office for Information Security to issue a prompt warning. Officials advised recipients to assume their devices are no longer secure.
The German government emphasized that it is taking the warnings with utmost seriousness and investigating the circumstances thoroughly. A government spokesperson declined to confirm if Chancellor Friedrich Merz was among those affected by the targeted campaign.
Read alsoGerman lawmakers iPhones may have been targeted by spyware, government warnsTechnical aspects of the spyware threat
The sophisticated attacks reportedly exploited a zero-click vulnerability, meaning hackers only needed the victims' phone numbers to compromise their devices without requiring any user interaction or suspicious link clicks.
TechCrunch noted that other high-profile individuals outside Germany, such as Beirut-based filmmaker Radwan Mortada, also received the latest Apple threat alerts. The identity of the threat actor or the government orchestrating these attacks remains publicly unknown.
Implications for digital security
While Apple does not disclose attribution details or confirm device compromises due to security protocols, it strongly urges recipients to take warnings seriously and enable Lockdown Mode. The incident highlights the ongoing global threat posed by mercenary spyware to high-profile individuals and public figures.
Source: 9to5Mac
