Apple, the renowned iPhone maker, has recently issued a series of alerts to users in 91 countries, including India, raising concerns about the presence of ‘mercenary spyware’, notably the notorious Pegasus malware. These cautionary notifications are part of Apple’s proactive measures to inform users about potential threats to their privacy and data security.
This recent alert follows a similar warning sent by Apple in October 2023 to political figures across various parties in India, including Shashi Tharoor of the Congress party, Raghav Chadha of the Aam Aadmi Party, and Mahua Moitra of the Trinamool Congress. The alert highlighted the risk of a “potential state-sponsored spyware attack” targeting their iPhones.
Apple Alerts Users Worldwide About Spyware Threat
The origins of this concern trace back to 2021 when the Supreme Court of India established a committee of technical experts to investigate allegations of unauthorized surveillance utilizing the Pegasus software developed by the Israeli firm NSO Group. In August 2022, the committee reported finding malware in five out of the 29 mobile phones examined, though no evidence of Pegasus spyware was detected.
Apple’s cautionary notifications underscore the gravity of the threat posed by mercenary spyware, which is often associated with state actors or private companies developing surveillance tools. These attacks, while targeting a small number of individuals such as journalists, activists, politicians, and diplomats, are ongoing and have a global reach.
Since 2021, Apple has been actively sending out threat notifications multiple times a year as it detects these attacks. To date, users in over 150 countries have received such notifications. The sophistication and widespread nature of these attacks make them among the most advanced digital threats today, according to Apple.
In response to these threats, Apple advises users to update their devices with the latest security patches and exercise caution when interacting with suspicious links or messages. Additionally, the company recommends enabling Lockdown Mode for enhanced device protection.
As the threat of spyware continues to evolve, Apple remains committed to safeguarding the privacy and security of its users worldwide. Through proactive measures and ongoing vigilance, the company aims to mitigate the risks posed by such sophisticated digital threats.