Late on Monday night, a group of approximately two dozen individuals in India found themselves on the receiving end of alarming alerts from Apple. The messages warned them of being under the surveillance of “state-sponsored attackers” with intentions to compromise their iPhones associated with their Apple IDs. While the Cupertino tech giant didn’t specify which government or agency was behind the targeting, the warning message painted a vivid picture of the potential threat.
Apple’s warning stated, “These attackers are likely targeting you individually because of who you are or what you do. If your device is compromised by a state-sponsored attacker, they may be able to remotely access your sensitive data, communications, or even the camera and microphone. While it’s possible this is a false alarm, please take this warning seriously.”
For those who have been previously targeted by the notorious Israeli spyware Pegasus, receiving Apple’s alert served as a stark reminder of the government’s capabilities in surveilling individuals it considers opposition. It also highlighted the ever-evolving landscape of spyware, malware, and surveillance technology.
The big question arising from this situation is whether this alert signifies the resurgence of Pegasus or perhaps the utilization of other spyware such as Predator. At this point, there isn’t enough information to draw definitive conclusions, leaving users and experts in a state of uncertainty regarding the nature and source of these potential threats.
