Opposition leaders report Apple alerts of 'state-sponsored attack'
Several Opposition leaders have said that they received alerts on October 30 and 31 from Apple, stating that "state-sponsored attackers may be targeting" their iPhones.
Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra, Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi of the Shiv Sena-UBT, Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and Pawan Khera, AIMIM supremo Asaduddin Owaisi, and AAP MP Raghav Chaddha were among the leaders who shared screenshots of the Apple alerts on X (formerly Twitter).
According to India Today, following the alerts, government sources said 'an algorithm malfunction triggered the alert mails.'
Received from an Apple ID, threat-notifications@apple.com, which I have verified. Authenticity confirmed. Glad to keep underemployed officials busy at the expenses of taxpayers like me! Nothing more important to do?@PMOIndia @INCIndia @kharge @RahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/5zyuoFmaIa
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 31, 2023
Received text & email from Apple warning me Govt trying to hack into my phone & email. @HMOIndia - get a life. Adani & PMO bullies - your fear makes me pity you. @priyankac19 - you, I , & 3 other INDIAns have got it so far . pic.twitter.com/2dPgv14xC0
— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) October 31, 2023
Mahua Moitra, who is already facing heat from the BJP following the cash-for-query allegations, ahead of the state elections this month added in her X post that a total of five individuals have received these attacks.
Early this morning I received a concerning notification from Apple, warning me about a potential state-sponsored spyware attack on my phone. The notification states that, “If your device is compromised by a state-sponsored attacker, they may be able to remotely access your… pic.twitter.com/JrVD9Zh9im
— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) October 31, 2023
Dear Modi Sarkar, why are you doing this? pic.twitter.com/3hWmAx00ql
— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) October 31, 2023
So not just me but also @MahuaMoitra has received this warning from Apple. Will @HMOIndia investigate? https://t.co/aS01YQpRpB
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) October 31, 2023
Received an Apple Threat Notification last night that attackers may be targeting my phone
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) October 31, 2023
ḳhuub parda hai ki chilman se lage baiThe haiñ
saaf chhupte bhī nahīñ sāmne aate bhī nahīñ pic.twitter.com/u2PDYcqNj6
Priyanka Chaturvedi's X post was followed by a question, "Will Home Ministry investigate?"
The alert by “threat-notifications@apple.com” said,
“ALERT: State-sponsored attackers may be targeting your iPhone,” “Apple believes you are being targeted by state-sponsored attackers who are trying to remotely compromise the iPhone associated with your Apple ID. These attackers are likely targeting you individually because of who you are or what you do. If your device is compromised by a state-sponsored attacker, they may be able to remotely access your sensitive data, communications, or even the camera and microphone.
- The alert also added, "While it’s possible this is a false alarm, please take this warning seriously.”
Mahua Moitra has been vocal about the Government of India's alleged nexus with industrialist Gautam Adani, through her Parliament Speeches.
What does Apple say about these alerts?
According to the purpose of Apple Support:
- The threat notifications are designed to aid users who may be targeted by state-sponsored attackers due to their identity or activities.
- These attacks are extremely focused and challenging to detect, the Support says.
- Apple notifies users through a 'threat Notification' displayed via email/iMessage to associated contact details.
- Users who suspect they may be targeted, even without an Apple threat notification, can activate Lockdown Mode.