# Apple Issues Spyware Warnings to Users in 100 Countries

## Apple Issues Spyware Warnings to Users in 100 Countries

Apple has begun notifying users across 100 countries who they believe have been targeted by government-sponsored spyware. The notifications, delivered via email and text message, warn recipients of potential compromises of their iPhones and urge them to take the threat seriously.

This week, two individuals publicly confirmed receiving the alerts. Ciro Pellegrino, an Italian journalist working for Fanpage, disclosed he received a warning from Apple indicating he wasn’t the sole target. Eva Vlaardingerbroek, a Dutch right-wing activist, shared a screenshot of the Apple alert on X, describing the spyware attack as likely targeting her “specifically because of who you are or what you do.” She viewed the notification as an attempt to intimidate and silence her.

Apple has previously issued similar warnings to users targeted by mercenary spyware, directing them to resources like nonprofit security labs specializing in investigating such attacks. Google and WhatsApp have also adopted the practice of notifying users believed to be under surveillance.

While the specific spyware campaign behind this latest round of notifications remains unclear, this isn’t the first time Apple has taken this preventative measure. In 2024, the company alerted users in dozens of countries about similar, unspecified spyware threats.

The notifications come on the heels of another incident earlier this year, where Pellegrino’s Fanpage colleague, Francesco Cancellato, was notified by WhatsApp that his device had been targeted by spyware developed by the Israeli company Paragon Solutions. Citizen Lab, a digital rights organization, confirmed they were investigating these attacks targeted at WhatsApp users. Following Cancellato’s revelation, two Italians working for Mediterranea Saving Humans also reported being targets of Paragon spyware. Paragon reportedly cut ties with its Italian government customer following these disclosures.

The increasing prevalence of sophisticated mercenary spyware underscores the growing threat to journalists, activists, and other individuals of interest to governments. These types of spyware are often developed by private companies and sold to governments, making attribution and prevention challenging.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the latest notifications. TechCrunch continues to investigate this developing story.

*If you have more information about government hacking groups, zero-day developers, or spyware makers, you can contact Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai securely on Signal at +1 917 257 1382, or via Telegram and Keybase @lorenzofb, or email lorenzo@techcrunch.com.*