German Lawmakers Warned of Possible Spyware Attacks on iPhones

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Germany's cybersecurity agency revealed that some parliament members received Apple alerts about potential spyware infections, underscoring ongoing threats from government-grade spyware.

The German federal cybersecurity agency, the BSI, has informed that several members of the Bundestag, Germany’s federal parliament, along with other prominent individuals, received warnings from Apple indicating possible spyware attacks on their iPhones. This notification follows Apple’s recent initiative to alert users it suspects have been targeted by sophisticated spyware. Such malware can covertly extract sensitive data including messages and location details without user interaction, often exploiting so-called zero-click vulnerabilities.

Although Apple issues these threat notifications to raise user awareness, it neither confirms actual successful compromises nor identifies which entities might be responsible for the attacks. Given this, the BSI advises those who receive these alerts to assume their devices could have been compromised. Among the recipients of these alerts is a Beirut-based filmmaker who reported multiple attempts to hack his device, including a prior incident in 2021.

The exact source of the spyware remains unknown, and while governments rarely develop such tools independently, they often acquire them from private vendors like the Israeli NSO Group, known for its Pegasus spyware. It is notable that Germany’s federal police agency reportedly purchased access to Pegasus malware in 2019.

The incident, which reportedly affects individuals in 99 countries, reflects the continued threat posed by mercenary spyware software targeting civil society figures globally. German government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius emphasized that Berlin is taking the situation very seriously but did not disclose specific individuals targeted, including whether Chancellor Friedrich Merz was affected. This situation highlights the increasing cybersecurity challenges faced by public officials and other high-profile figures amid advanced spyware campaigns worldwide.