Apple and Google have issued a fresh round of cybersecurity warnings to users around the world this week, alerting them to potential attacks by state-linked hackers. The notifications come amid growing concerns over commercial spyware and government-backed surveillance campaigns targeting individuals and organizations globally.
Apple confirmed it sent the latest batch of alerts on 2 December but did not disclose the exact number of users affected or the groups behind the attacks. Since the program began, the company has sent notifications to users in more than 150 countries. These warnings are typically triggered when evidence suggests that a user has been specifically targeted in sophisticated hacking attempts linked to state agencies or government contractors.
Google followed with its own alerts on 3 December, notifying users who were targeted using Intellexa spyware tools. The company reported that “several hundred accounts” were affected across countries including Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Angola, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia and Tajikistan. Intellexa, a surveillance technology vendor sanctioned by the United States, has reportedly continued operations despite restrictions, though executives did not respond to requests for comment.
Experts say these alerts play a crucial role in disrupting spyware campaigns by informing potential victims. John Scott-Railton, senior researcher at Citizen Lab, noted that notifications often trigger investigations that expose misuse of spyware and serve as “the first step towards meaningful accountability for abuses.” The ongoing warnings highlight the persistence of commercial spyware and the challenges faced by governments and tech companies in curbing its spread.
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