Apple warns politicians using iPhones: Notifications sent to devices
Apple has begun warning politicians about spyware threats targeting journalists and politicians on iPhones. Notifications were sent to diplomats using iPhones.
Cyberattacks now target every device connected to the internet. Although Apple's iPhone and other products are secure, they may not detect some spyware early. The tech giant has started warning politicians against a potential threat.
Cupertino-based Apple reported that the iPhone devices of German Bundestag members and ministry employees were targeted. The Federal Office for Information Security instructed politicians to take precautions assuming their devices were compromised.
WARNING FROM APPLE TO GERMAN POLITICIANS
Apple sent direct security warnings to the iPhone devices of ministers in the German cabinet, members of the Federal Parliament (Bundestag), and employees of various federal departments.
According to information reported by Euronews, direct threat notifications reached the devices of individuals identified as targeted. In August 2026, the company sent similar spyware notifications to users in 110 countries.
German Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger confirmed in a statement to the press that they received notification from Apple that certain devices may have been targeted with spyware. According to Wildberger, the first warning from Apple was sent on October 29, and the politician stated that Apple reacted early.
BSI Calls on Politicians to Take Precautions
Following the development, the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) requested targeted politicians to act under the assumption that their devices were compromised.
The warnings delivered by Apple do not mean an attack was definitively successful, but this step is implemented as a precautionary security measure.
Minister Wildberger did not detail which concrete security steps were taken. Apple recommends enabling the Lockdown Mode feature on devices in such cases. Neither the BSI nor Apple publicly disclosed how many lawmakers or agency personnel received notifications. It has not yet been announced which actors are behind the attacks either.
How Does Apple's Threat Notification System Work?
Apple does not disclose its technical methodology for detecting targeted attacks due to security reasons. The company's support documents state that these attacks are mercenary spyware operations distinct from standard cybercrime activities, focusing on specific individuals.
The company states that absolute certainty regarding attacks cannot be guaranteed and notifications are based on high-confidence data. According to Apple data, threat alerts have been sent to targeted users in more than 150 countries since 2021.
The system operates as follows:
- A notification appears on the detected user's iPhone lock screen.
- A threat warning is displayed at the top of the device's Settings menu.
- An informational message is sent to the email address associated with the user's Apple ID.
- A warning banner appears at the top of the page when the user logs into the Apple ID website.
Germany and Spyware History
In 2021, when Apple introduced threat notifications, the German Bundestag criticized the company over its privacy and security policies. During the same period, the German government acknowledged using Pegasus spyware in its security operations.
This article was translated from Turkish. Read the original article in Turkish.
