‘Unprecedented’ number of Apple users received recent spyware alert, say investigators
TechCrunch
•Mon, 17 Aug 2026 20:18:35 +0000
📰 What Happened
An 'unprecedented' number of Apple customers reported receiving a recent threat notification alerting them to suspected spyware attacks on their devices, according to experts who investigate such incidents. Apple sent a new wave of notifications on Friday alerting customers in 110 countries that they had been targeted with powerful spyware. Several people reported receiving the alerts over the weekend. Apple said it was not aware of anyone who had Lockdown Mode enabled being hacked.
🔍 The Backstory
Apple periodically sends threat alerts in batches to customers it believes have been targeted or compromised with malware normally used by governments, which it refers to as mercenary spyware. Groups such as Citizen Lab and Access Now have historically linked such campaigns to commercial spyware vendors. Apple's Lockdown Mode is a special security feature designed to make iPhones, iPads and Macs much harder to hack.
🎯 Why It Matters
The breadth of the alerts points to a widespread and ongoing wave of state-linked or mercenary spyware targeting a large global user base across an exceptional number of countries. Such surveillance often targets civil society, journalists and activists, raising serious privacy and safety concerns. The alerts reinforce the case for enabling protective features like Lockdown Mode and keeping devices updated.
An 'unprecedented' number of Apple customers reported receiving a recent threat notification alerting them to suspected spyware attacks on their devices, according to experts who investigate such incidents. Apple sent a new wave of notifications on Friday alerting customers in 110 countries that they had been targeted with powerful spyware. Several people reported receiving the alerts over the weekend. Apple said it was not aware of anyone who had Lockdown Mode enabled being hacked.
Apple periodically sends threat alerts in batches to customers it believes have been targeted or compromised with malware normally used by governments, which it refers to as mercenary spyware. Groups such as Citizen Lab and Access Now have historically linked such campaigns to commercial spyware vendors. Apple's Lockdown Mode is a special security feature designed to make iPhones, iPads and Macs much harder to hack.
The breadth of the alerts points to a widespread and ongoing wave of state-linked or mercenary spyware targeting a large global user base across an exceptional number of countries. Such surveillance often targets civil society, journalists and activists, raising serious privacy and safety concerns. The alerts reinforce the case for enabling protective features like Lockdown Mode and keeping devices updated.