'State-Sponsored Attackers May Be Targeting Your iPhone': Opposition Leaders Claim They Received Alert From Apple, Question Home Ministry

Apple has warned several Indian MPs and other individuals that their phones may be under attack by "state-sponsored attackers".

Samir Saran, founder of Observer Research Foundation (ORF), an Indian policy think-tank, took to social media platform X on Tuesday (31 October), to inform that Apple, through a message, notified him that his iPhone was being targeted.

"Was notified by Apple late last night that my iPhone linked to my Apple ID is being targeted … I have implemented the on-device remedial measures suggested by Apple and am reaching out to experts as well ….," Saran wrote on X.

He also tagged the Union Home Ministry in his post.

Further, at least three Opposition Members of Parliament said that they received the warning from Apple that “State sponsored attackers may be targetting” their iPhones.

Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, Trinamool Congress’ Mahua Moitra and Congress’ Pawan Khera shared the alert sent by Apple on X (formerly Twitter).

“ALERT: State-sponsored attackers may be targeting your iPhone,” the message received by MPs from “threat-notifications@apple.com” said. “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. While it’s possible this is a false alarm, please take this warning seriously,” the message read.

Chaturvedi asked whether the government will investigate the incident.

TMC Mahua Moitra, who is currently facing a Parliamentary Ethics Committee probe over 'cash-for-query' allegations, also shared the message and blamed the government.

Tagging Home Ministry office in her X post, Moitra said, "Get a life. Adani & PMO bullies - your fear makes me pity you".

"Apple threat notifications are designed to inform and assist users who may have been targeted by state-sponsored attackers. These users are individually targeted because of who they are or what they do," Apple support page says.

"Unlike traditional cybercriminals, state-sponsored attackers apply exceptional resources to target a very small number of specific individuals and their devices, which makes these attacks much harder to detect and prevent. State-sponsored attacks are highly complex, cost millions of dollars to develop and often have a short shelf life. The vast majority of users will never be targeted by such attacks," it added.