Opposition leaders get Apple’s alert of potential state-sponsored cyberattacks
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New Delhi: Several prominent figures in politics and journalism have reportedly received warnings from Apple about potential state-sponsored cyberattacks aimed at compromising their iPhones.
According to a report published in The Wire, the list includes high-profile names such as Mahua Moitra, Priyanka Chaturvedi, Raghav Chadha, Shashi Tharoor, Sitaram Yechury, Pawan Khera, Akhilesh Yadav, Siddharth Varadarajan, Sriram Karri, and Samir Saran.
The email, titled "ALERT: State-sponsored attackers may be targeting your iPhone," raised concerns about remote access to sensitive data, communications, and even the device's camera and microphone. The fact that multiple individuals received identical alerts simultaneously on October 30, 2023, suggests a coordinated and India-specific targeting.
Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi took to Twitter to share the alarming message, questioning the motives behind the alleged attacks. Pawan Khera, a Congress spokesperson, directed his inquiry towards the Modi government, questioning the priorities of such actions.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed scepticism, stating, "Glad to keep underemployed officials busy at the expense of taxpayers like me! Nothing more important to do?" This sentiment was echoed by other recipients who are known critics of the Narendra Modi government.
Experts, including Prateek Waghre from the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF), emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the source and extent of the alleged malware attack. Waghre pointed out previous instances of Pegasus spyware deployment in India, raising concerns about a potential pattern.
Siddharth Varadarajan, one of the journalists targeted, had his phone previously linked to traces of Pegasus, as reported by Amnesty International's Tech Lab.
This incident comes on the heels of the Pegasus Project revelations in 2021, confirming the infection of numerous phones in India, including those of politicians, journalists, and human rights defenders. The final report of a Supreme Court committee investigating the use of Pegasus is yet to be made public.
In March 2023, the Financial Times reported that the Indian government is exploring alternatives to Pegasus, willing to invest up to $120 million in spyware with a "lower profile."