Apple and Google have issued fresh global security alerts, warning users that they may be the targets of state-backed hacking campaigns. The notifications highlight an ongoing surge in sophisticated spyware attacks tied to vendors such as Intellexa, as governments and tech companies ramp up scrutiny of digital espionage tools.
New wave of global threat notifications
Earlier this week, both companies sent out a new round of alerts to people whose devices may have been singled out in highly advanced cyber-intrusion attempts.
Apple confirmed that its latest notifications were issued on December 2, adding that it has now alerted users in more than 150 countries since launching its threat-warning program. While Apple did not disclose how many individuals were affected, the company noted that these warnings are triggered only when it detects credible evidence of targeted, state-linked hacking attempts.
Google highlights attacks involving Intellexa spyware
On December 3, Google revealed that it had notified “several hundred” accounts targeted by spyware tools attributed to Intellexa, a surveillance-technology vendor currently sanctioned by the U.S. The affected users span a wide range of countries, including Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Angola, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, and Tajikistan.
Despite international sanctions, Intellexa appears to be adapting and continuing its operations, according to Google’s Threat Analysis Group. Representatives for the company did not comment on the claims.
Commercial spyware industry faces growing scrutiny
Alerts from Apple and Google have repeatedly triggered political and regulatory investigations. In previous cases, the European Union launched inquiries after senior officials were found to have been targeted with similar surveillance tools.
Cybersecurity researchers emphasize that these warnings play a crucial role in disrupting espionage efforts. John Scott-Railton of Citizen Lab said that threat notifications often spark deeper investigations that expose how spyware is being misused, calling them “the first step toward meaningful accountability.”
A persistent global threat
The latest warnings underscore how difficult it is to contain the spread of commercial spyware. As state-sponsored hacking tools continue to evolve and cross borders, technology companies argue that proactive alert systems remain one of the few reliable defenses available to victims of targeted digital attacks.
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