Apple Alerts Users About Spyware Threats and Recommends Security Measures

Apple has begun sending push notifications to users in over 150 countries who may have been targeted by government-used spyware capable of hacking into their devices. The notifications, which appear on iPhone lock screens, warn recipients of mercenary spyware attacks and urge immediate action to protect data and devices. Users are directed to enable Lockdown Mode, a security feature that significantly hinders spyware success. These alerts follow reports of spyware abuse by governments against critics and civil society members, with Citizen Lab researcher John Scott-Railton highlighting the importance of such notifications in uncovering large-scale surveillance scandals like Poland’s election-related spyware misuse. Apple emphasizes that while successful hacks during Lockdown Mode are rare, the proliferation of surveillance technology has enabled widespread government exploitation. The company also notifies users via email and account login alerts, improving its security response since 2021 when it first introduced spyware alerts.