German Officials and Lawmakers Warned by Apple That Spyware May Have Targeted Their Phones

Several German lawmakers, ministry staff and journalists are among the people Apple recently warned about spyware attacks, according to the country's information security agency, the BSI. Der Spiegel reported that notifications went to members of a delegation travelling with Chancellor Friedrich Merz on a trip through Asia, where he met officials in South Korea, Japan and Singapore. Green Party co-leader Franziska Brantner has publicly said she received a warning. Apple said victims were located in 99 countries.

The BSI sent a warning letter on Friday, within 24 hours of Apple's alerts. It told recipients to assume their devices are infected and to replace them immediately. Digital Minister Karsten Wildberg said this showed the government "reacted super quickly." The agency said it does not know how many devices were actually infected rather than merely targeted, or why these people were chosen. Its response suggests it regards the attacks as particularly serious.

The case is not limited to Germany. Late last week, a Lebanese documentary filmmaker and a Turkey-based reporter became the first victims to publicly confirm they had received Apple warnings, among what the report describes as scores, if not hundreds, of targets. The Record notes that the incident highlights Europe's continuing exposure to spyware.