Germany says lawmakers’ iPhones may have been hacked after Apple spyware alerts

Germany says lawmakers’ iPhones may have been hacked with spyware today after Apple sent threat notifications to targeted users, TechCrunch reports. Apple’s alerts, which the company issues when it detects likely state-sponsored attacks, raise the prospect of confidential parliamentary communications being exposed. The potential breach heightens immediate national security and privacy concerns for elected officials as Europe grapples with mercenary surveillance vendors and cross-border targeting.

TechCrunch says several Bundestag members and a prominent filmmaker confirmed receiving warnings, while Apple does not identify perpetrators and the notices do not confirm a successful compromise or the number of devices affected. Authorities are evaluating the scope, and Apple’s guidance typically urges rapid iOS updates, strong passcodes, and optional Lockdown Mode while forensic reviews proceed, according to Apple and TechCrunch. [Developing. This article will be updated.]