Outlook Business Desk
Apple and Google have issued new global alerts after detecting attempts by state-backed groups to compromise user devices, highlighting ongoing concerns about the spread of commercial spyware and government-driven surveillance efforts.
Apple confirmed it released new alerts on 2 December but did not reveal user numbers or suspected groups. The company said such warnings have now reached people across over 150 countries.
Apple sends these alerts when it finds clear signs that someone has been directly targeted in a highly advanced hacking attempt linked to state agencies or groups working for them.
Google announced on 3 December that it notified all affected users targeted through Intellexa spyware tools, identifying several hundred compromised accounts across diverse regions and multiple countries.
Users in Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Angola, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia and Tajikistan were among those flagged by Google, which accused Intellexa of continuing operations despite facing United States sanctions.
Earlier warnings from Apple, Google, and other tech firms have triggered political questions and regulatory checks. The European Union also opened investigations after senior officials were found targeted with similar surveillance tools.
Meanwhile, cybersecurity experts say these alerts interrupt hidden surveillance attempts by warning the people targeted. Researchers add that such notifications often lead to investigations that expose the misuse of advanced spyware tools.
The newest alerts show that commercial spyware is still advancing. As state-backed hacking tools expand, companies stress that warning users remains one of the few reliable early defences against these attacks.