A controversy has erupted in India as several opposition leaders reported receiving alerts from Apple, cautioning them about potential “state-sponsored attackers attempting to compromise their iPhones remotely.” These leaders, including prominent figures like Priyanka Chaturvedi, Mahua Moitra, Raghav Chadha, Shashi Tharoor, Pawan Khera, and Sitaram Yechury, shared purported screenshots of these messages on their social media accounts.
As of now, Apple has not issued a response regarding the situation.
Amit Malviya, a leader from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), responded to the allegations in a post on a social media platform, stating, “Usual suspects raising a storm over ‘state-sponsored’ attack and pretending to be martyrs is all good… But this hullabaloo, in all probability, like in the past, will end up as a damp squib! Why not wait for Apple to clarify? Or is it too much to let go an opportunity to outrage?”
The opposition leaders took to social media platforms to express their concerns and criticism of the government. Moitra, a Trinamool Congress MP, shared her experience, stating, “Received text and email from Apple warning me that the government is trying to hack into my phone and email. @HMOIndia – get a life. Adani and PMO bullies – your fear makes me pity you.”
Chaturvedi also shared a similar warning received from Apple and questioned, “So not just me but also @MahuaMoitra has received this warning from Apple. Will @HMOIndia investigate?”
Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, confirmed receiving a similar message from an Apple ID. He said, “Received from an Apple ID, which I have verified. Authenticity confirmed. Glad to keep underemployed officials busy at the expenses of taxpayers like me! Nothing more important to do?”
Raghav Chadha, a Rajya Sabha MP from the Aam Aadmi Party, expressed his concern, describing it as an attack on the “democratic interests” of the country. He stated that the alleged hacking attempts were happening just months before a general election and should be seen in the context of broader attacks on the opposition.
The message shared by these MPs warned of potential state-sponsored attackers targeting their iPhones, raising concerns about the compromise of sensitive data, communications, and device features.
The situation has sparked a debate and raised questions about the security of communication devices used by opposition leaders in India. Further updates and clarifications from Apple and government authorities are eagerly awaited to shed light on the matter.
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