Opposition MPs Receive Apple Warnings of State-Sponsored Hacking Attempts

• Opposition MPs, including Shashi Tharoor and Priyanka Chaturvedi, receive Apple mobile phone warnings of state-sponsored hacking attempts on their iPhones
• Government sources acknowledge the messages but emphasize the imperfect nature of threat detection on iPhones
• Apple attributes the notifications to a potential "algorithm malfunction," while affected MPs share screenshots of the warnings on social media

In a recent development, several prominent opposition Members of Parliament, including Shashi Tharoor from the Congress, Priyanka Chaturvedi of the Shiv Sena (UBT), and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, have reported receiving messages from Apple warning of state-sponsored attackers attempting to remotely compromise their iPhones. Additionally, sources have revealed that three individuals in Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's office also received similar messages.

Government sources have acknowledged these messages, emphasizing that threat detection on iPhones is often "imperfect and incomplete." Apple, on the other hand, has stated that these notifications are triggered when their systems detect "activity consistent with a state-sponsored attack." Apple insiders have informed that the notifications were likely triggered due to an "algorithm malfunction," and a detailed statement regarding this error will be released shortly.

Received text & email from Apple warning me Govt trying to hack into my phone & email. @HMOIndia - get a life. Adani & PMO bullies - your fear makes me pity you. @priyankac19 - you, I , & 3 other INDIAns have got it so far . pic.twitter.com/2dPgv14xC0

— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) October 31, 2023

Today, the aforementioned MPs took to social media to post screenshots of the messages they received. Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra, who also received the message, alleged that Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Aam Aadmi Party's Raghav Chadha, CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, and Congress's Pawan Khera had also been warned about hacking attempts. The message from Apple cautions the recipients, stating, "Apple believes you are being targeted by state-sponsored attackers who are trying to remotely compromise the iPhone associated with your Apple ID." 

"These attackers are likely targeting you individually because of who you are or what you do. If your device is compromised state-sponsored attacker, they may be able to remotely access your sensitive data, communications, or even the camera and microphone. While it's possible this is a false alarm, please take this warning seriously."