Apple Issues Another Spyware Warning to iPhone Users Worldwide

Apple has issued a new round of spyware alerts, notifying users in 100 countries that they may have been targeted by highly sophisticated surveillance software.

The notifications were sent via email and iMessage to individuals whom Apple believes were specifically targeted based on their identity or activities.

These attacks involve “mercenary spyware”—tools created by private companies and sold to governments and law enforcement.

While such spyware is often marketed for criminal investigations, it is frequently used to monitor journalists, political activists, human rights defenders, and other high-risk individuals.

High-Profile Targets Revealed

Two people have publicly confirmed receiving Apple’s latest spyware alert. One is Ciro Pellegrino, an Italian journalist working for the online news outlet Fanpage. The other is Dutch political activist Eva Vlaardingerbroek.

Both received messages from Apple informing them that their iPhones had likely been targeted in a government-linked spyware attack.

According to the notifications, the attacks are highly targeted, and Apple is confident in its assessment, although it notes that absolute certainty is not always possible in detecting such incidents. Apple has not disclosed which spyware was used or which group may be responsible.

This is not the first time Pellegrino’s newsroom has been targeted. In February, WhatsApp informed his colleague Francesco Cancellato that a spyware company, later identified as Israel-based Paragon Solutions, had attempted to compromise his device.

Following this, two other Italians associated with a migrant rescue NGO also reported being targeted by Paragon. The company reportedly terminated its contract with an Italian government customer after these disclosures.

Spyware Risks and Capabilities

Spyware like Pegasus, LightSpy, and Paragon’s tools can silently infect a phone without any action by the user, in what’s called a “zero-click” attack. Once inside, it can access messages, camera, microphone, and even encrypted apps such as Signal and WhatsApp.

The stealthy nature of these attacks makes them hard to detect and nearly impossible for ordinary users to prevent without strong security measures. While Apple has implemented new protections and patches, the evolving nature of spyware means constant vigilance is required.

How Users Can Protect Themselves

Apple recommends that high-risk users keep their iPhones updated with the latest iOS version—currently iOS 18.4.1. This ensures known vulnerabilities are patched.

Users should also be cautious of suspicious messages or files and consider enabling Lockdown Mode, a special feature introduced by Apple to block potential attack vectors. Though it limits some functionality, Lockdown Mode has proven effective in preventing certain spyware attacks.

Those who believe they may be targets can use tools like Certo to scan for indicators of compromise or reach out to digital rights organizations such as Amnesty International for further support.