Overview
- Apple sent a fresh wave of threat notifications on Thursday, Aug. 13, telling users in 110 countries they may have been targeted by mercenary spyware.
- The company now surfaces alerts directly on an iPhone’s lock screen and in Settings in addition to emails and a banner on account.apple.com so recipients see warnings more quickly.
- Apple describes these messages as "high-confidence" signs that an individual was targeted but says it will not disclose the technical triggers or attribute alerts to specific governments or vendors.
- Recipients are urged to follow clear steps: enable Lockdown Mode, install software updates, use two-factor authentication, verify the notice at account.apple.com, preserve the device, and seek expert help such as Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline.
- Mercenary spyware refers to expensive commercial surveillance tools used to target a small number of high-value people like journalists, activists, diplomats and officials, and Apple says its warnings since 2021 have reached users in more than 150 countries and often spur further investigations.