● Covered by 2 sources · 2 reportsMedium impact2 neutral
Apple Warns Users in 99 Countries of Mercenary Spyware Attacks
Key points
- Apple sent threat notifications to users in 99 countries.
- Warnings concern suspected mercenary spyware attacks.
- Targets include a Turkish reporter and a Lebanese filmmaker.
- Some recipients have received multiple such warnings.
- German lawmakers and government officials received Apple threat notifications last Thursday.
- German authorities are investigating reports of targeted lawmakers and government officials.
- Attacks exploited a zero-click vulnerability using only the target's phone number.
Widespread Spyware Warnings Issued
Apple has initiated a new series of threat notifications, alerting users in 99 countries about potential mercenary spyware attacks. These alerts are sent to individuals whose devices are suspected of being targeted by sophisticated digital threats.
Notable Targets Identified
Among the recipients are Ragıp Soylu, the Turkey bureau chief for Middle East Eye, and Radwan Mortada, a Lebanese documentary filmmaker and investigative journalist. Both individuals publicly confirmed receiving these notifications, with Soylu noting it was his third such alert this year.
Mortada, known for his reporting on Middle Eastern security issues, stated that his phone was previously targeted by Pegasus spyware in 2017 and 2021. His latest notification followed the release of a documentary he directed about the September 2024 pager explosions in Lebanon.
Apple's Stance on Attribution
Apple's notifications do not attribute these attacks to specific malicious actors or geographical regions. The company cites the "extreme cost, sophistication, and worldwide nature of mercenary spyware attacks" as reasons for this policy, classifying them as advanced digital threats.
Updates
- German lawmakers and government officials received Apple threat notifications last Thursday.
- German authorities are investigating reports of targeted lawmakers and government officials.
- Attacks exploited a zero-click vulnerability using only the target's phone number.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
The daily brief
One email each morning: the day's tech stories, clustered across outlets and summarized. No account needed.
One email a day. Unsubscribe in one click, any time.
Today's brief
Spend a few minutes, get the whole day. Every topic's top stories in one hands-free rundown — listen, watch, or read the transcript.
▶ Play today's brief
New every morning, and the back catalogue is archived by date.
How outlets covered it
Apple issued threat notifications to users in 99 countries, warning them of potential mercenary spyware attacks. This action follows reports that German lawmakers and government officials may have been targeted, prompting an investigation by German authorities. The attacks reportedly exploited a zero-click vulnerability, requiring only the target's phone number for compromise.
Apple issued threat notifications to users in 99 countries, warning them of suspected mercenary spyware attacks. This marks a new round of alerts, with targets including a Turkey-based reporter and a Lebanese documentary filmmaker who have publicly shared their notifications.