Apple Issues New Alerts on Spyware Attacks for iPhone Users Globally
Apple has released yet another set of security alerts for iPhone owners, cautioning them about potential risks related to advanced spyware attacks. The company persists in its mission to inform individuals who might have been targeted by what it describes as “mercenary spyware.”
Two recipients of the most recent alerts—Italian journalist Ciro Pellegrino and Dutch political analyst Eva Vlaardingerbroek—publicly shared their experiences on Wednesday. Pellegrino wrote an article describing the notification, while Vlaardingerbroek published a video addressing the warning. TechCrunch was among the initial sources to report their revelations.
The notification from Apple informed both users that their iPhones had come under threat in a spyware operation. The message stated: “ALERT: Apple detected a targeted mercenary spyware attack against your phone.”
In his article, Pellegrino included an image of an email he received from Apple, which revealed that users in 100 nations had been alerted, although the actual range of the attack might reach as many as 150 countries.
Apple began issuing these alerts in 2024, advising users who might be vulnerable due to their identity or profession. A prior notification from Apple stated: “Apple detected that you are being targeted by a mercenary spyware attack that is aiming to remotely compromise the iPhone linked to your Apple ID. This attack likely focuses on you specifically because of who you are or what you do. Although it’s impossible to ensure absolute certainty when spotting such threats, Apple holds a strong belief in this warning — please regard it seriously.”
This is not the first instance of journalists from Fanpage, the Italian news organization where Pellegrino works, being targeted. Earlier this year, another journalist at the outlet received a spyware alert from WhatsApp. That incident was reportedly associated with Paragon Solutions, a spyware developer based in Israel.
Spyware threats have continued to advance, with recent scams also affecting human rights organizations and supporters of Ukraine through platforms such as WhatsApp and Signal.
At present, it is uncertain which group or groups are responsible for the latest series of spyware attacks. Mashable has contacted Apple for further information and will provide updates as more details emerge.