Apple Warns Users in 110 Countries of Spyware; Help Requests Jump 30-40%
Apple has sent mercenary spyware threat notifications to users in 110 countries and regions, triggering a record surge in assistance requests. Digital rights group Access Now reported a 30% to 40% increase in calls compared with previous notification rounds, while cybersecurity firm iVerify confirmed the spike. The latest batch is reportedly the largest ever, with recipients including Ukrainian military personnel. Notifications appear on iPhone lock screens, in the Settings app, in account-linked emails, and on Apple's web portal. Apple has not responded to requests for comment.
According to Mohammed Askati, director of the hotline review and investigation team at digital rights organization Access Now, the organization received a record number of assistance requests after the notifications were sent, roughly 30% to 40% higher than the usual volume following previous Apple notification rounds. Cybersecurity firm iVerify also confirmed a surge in Apple's threat notifications, with multiple social media posts showing an unusually large number of people publicly reporting receipt of the notices over the weekend.
Apple periodically sends such warnings in batches to users believed to be targeted or compromised by mercenary spyware, and has issued alerts to users in more than 150 countries and regions over the past several years. The latest batch is reportedly the largest ever. An anonymous soldier serving in the Ukrainian armed forces said he initially thought the notification was a scam, verified its authenticity with Apple, and revealed that other personnel in the Ukrainian military had received the same notification. Ukraine's Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-UA) has not yet responded.
The new notifications appear on users' iPhone lock screens, inside the Settings app, in emails linked to their Apple accounts, and when users log into their Apple accounts via the web. Apple has not responded to requests for comment.