Apple Sends Spyware Alerts to 110 Countries in Week of Aug 13, 2026; Total Exceeds 150
Apple sent spyware threat alerts to users in 110 countries and regions during the week of August 13, 2026, bringing the total number of affected countries and regions to over 150. The alerts, delivered via iPhone lock screen, email, and account login, warn of mercenary spyware attacks. Apple said no device in Lockdown Mode has been successfully compromised. The notifications have helped expose abuses, such as the Polish government's spyware scandal.
In the week of August 13, 2026, Apple sent spyware threat alerts to users in 110 countries and regions worldwide. The company said the total number of countries and regions that have received such alerts now exceeds 150, reflecting the global spread of mercenary spyware.
According to an updated support document on Apple's website, when a potential threat is detected, Apple pushes an urgent notification directly on the user's iPhone lock screen, stating: "Apple detected a mercenary spyware attack targeting your iPhone. You can take action now to protect your data and device." Apple has also refined the user experience, sending warnings via email and when users log into their accounts.
This security feature significantly raises the difficulty of spyware attacks. Apple said that no device has been found to be successfully compromised while in Lockdown Mode.
Although spyware attacks are relatively rare among the general public, the proliferation of such surveillance technology in recent years has made it prone to abuse, often deployed against specific civil society members or critics. Since Apple first introduced such alerts in 2021, the notifications have played a role in urging people to seek help. For example, the ongoing case of the Polish government's abuse of spyware against political opponents, a large-scale spyware abuse scandal related to Polish elections, was exposed thanks to Apple's notifications.