Apple warns German officials their iPhones may be targeted by advanced spyware

Apple warned some members of Germany’s parliament and government that their iPhones may be targeted with advanced spyware, German outlets reported. (Source: Hamshahri)

- What happened: Apple sent warnings to some German lawmakers and government officials that their iPhones could be targeted by sophisticated spyware. Apple issued a broader security alert saying iPhone users in 99 countries may be subject to complex spyware attacks. (Sources: Hamshahri; Fars – Telegram)

- Timing and scope: German officials said the warnings began being sent on October 29. Apple said it had identified attempts to attack with so-called mercenary spyware, but it is not yet clear how many devices, if any, have been infected. (Source: Fars – Telegram)

- Official guidance and risk: Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security asked recipients of the warnings to assume their devices could be compromised as a precaution and to take appropriate security measures. Mercenary spyware is described as an advanced tool for targeted surveillance that, if successful, can give attackers access to personal data, messages and calls. (Source: Fars – Telegram)