Apple warned several German officials that their iPhones might be spied on

Several members of the German federal parliament and government were warned that their iPhones may have been targeted by sophisticated spyware. Apple sent the notifications after identifying indications of possible individual attacks, and the authorities recommended that those targeted consider their devices potentially compromised.

The first warnings were sent on October 29, according to a letter from the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). The information was confirmed by Germany’s Minister for Digitalization, Karsten Wildberger, in a program broadcast on Sunday by ARD. The official did not specify how many people received notifications or whether the attacks were successful.

The BSI sent politicians instructions for limiting the risks, but the authorities have not yet determined who may be behind the espionage attempts. The alerts concern “mercenary spyware” programs, designed to attack selected individuals and evade ordinary security measures.

If the infection succeeds, attackers can access messages, including encrypted conversations, calls, contacts, calendars, and location data. In certain cases, the programs can remotely activate the microphone and camera. Apple states that such operations are rare and generally target a limited number of people.

Read also Germany’s Education Minister announces consultations with students and teachers following large-scale protests