Apple Warns Users in 100 Countries of Targeted Spyware Attacks
In a significant new development, Apple has begun notifying users across 100 countries that they may have been targeted by government-grade spyware. According to the individuals who received the alerts, Apple believes these attacks were carried out by what it calls “mercenary spyware” — surveillance software often developed by private companies and sold to governments.
So far, only two recipients of the warning have come forward publicly.
Who Was Targeted?
One of them is Italian journalist Ciro Pellegrino, who works with the digital news outlet Fanpage. In an article published Tuesday, Pellegrino said he received both an email and a text message from Apple. The message informed him that his iPhone may have been compromised by a targeted spyware attack.
“Today’s notification is being sent to affected users in 100 countries,” the alert read, according to Pellegrino. He noted in his article: “Did this really happen? Yes, it is not a joke.”
The second known recipient of Apple’s notification is Eva Vlaardingerbroek, a Dutch right-wing activist. On Wednesday, she posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) that included a screenshot of the warning she received.
“Apple detected a targeted mercenary spyware attack against your iPhone,” the message read. “This attack is likely targeting you specifically because of who you are or what you do. Although it’s never possible to achieve absolute certainty when detecting such attacks, Apple has high confidence in this warning — please take it seriously.”
Reacting to the message, Vlaardingerbroek called it “an attempt to intimidate me, an attempt to silence me, obviously.”
Neither Pellegrino nor Vlaardingerbroek responded to media requests for further comment.
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Apple’s Track Record With Spyware Warnings
This isn’t the first time Apple has warned users about targeted spyware. The company periodically sends out these types of alerts when it detects high-risk attacks, often advising affected users to connect with digital security organizations such as Citizen Lab or Access Now for support and investigation.
In fact, last year Apple issued two similar warnings affecting users in multiple countries. However, the company rarely names the spyware involved or the attackers behind it.
So far, Apple has not made a public statement regarding this most recent wave of alerts.
A Growing Pattern of Attacks in Italy
This incident marks the second time this year that an Italian journalist has been targeted with mercenary spyware. Back in February, WhatsApp notified Fanpage journalist Francesco Cancellato, a colleague of Pellegrino, that his device had also been attacked.
According to WhatsApp, the spyware in that case was developed by Paragon Solutions, an Israeli company that sells surveillance tools to governments. Digital watchdog Citizen Lab, which has investigated spyware abuse for over a decade, confirmed it was investigating the attack.
Following Cancellato’s revelation, two other individuals — employees of Mediterranea Saving Humans, a humanitarian organization focused on rescuing migrants — also came forward claiming they had been targeted by the same spyware.
Reports suggest that Paragon has since severed ties with its Italian government client following backlash over the surveillance of journalists and aid workers.
What’s Next?
While the exact nature of the spyware involved in Apple’s latest notifications remains unclear, the warnings add to growing concerns about the misuse of commercial surveillance tools. Human rights advocates have repeatedly called for stricter regulation and transparency around how these tools are sold and used — especially when they target journalists, activists, and civil society members.
With Apple sending alerts across 100 countries, this may only be the tip of the iceberg.
As more affected individuals come forward and further details emerge, this story is likely to develop quickly. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
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