Apple notifies new victims of spyware attacks across the world

Tech Crunch - Apr 30th, 2025

Apple has issued notifications to individuals in 100 countries, alerting them of potential government spyware attacks on their devices. Two individuals who received these alerts are Italian journalist Ciro Pellegrino and Dutch activist Eva Vlaardingerbroek. Pellegrino confirmed receiving an email and text from Apple, indicating that he and others were targeted. Similarly, Vlaardingerbroek shared on social media that her iPhone was specifically targeted due to her activism, describing it as an intimidation attempt.

This incident underscores ongoing concerns about the use of 'mercenary' spyware, developed by private companies and sold to governments, to monitor individuals. Apple, along with other tech giants like Google and WhatsApp, has been proactive in notifying users about such threats. This case highlights the significant privacy and security concerns surrounding government surveillance and the potential misuse of spyware technology. It also emphasizes the importance of digital rights organizations, such as Citizen Lab, in investigating and mitigating these cyber threats.

Apple Whats App Spyware Citizen Lab Ciro Pellegrino Eva Vlaardingerbroek Government Surveillance Mercenary Spyware Digital Rights Paragon Solutions

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.4

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a timely and relevant account of Apple's notifications regarding potential spyware threats, supported by credible sources and firsthand accounts. It effectively highlights the broader issue of digital privacy and the role of tech companies in safeguarding user data. However, the article could enhance its accuracy and transparency by providing more detailed information about the specific spyware involved and Apple's detection methods. While the story is clear and engaging, it would benefit from additional expert perspectives to deepen the analysis and broaden the public's understanding of the implications of such spyware attacks. Overall, the article succeeds in raising awareness about a critical issue while maintaining a balanced and responsible presentation.

Accuracy

The article accurately reports on Apple's notifications to individuals about potential spyware threats, corroborated by the accounts of Ciro Pellegrino and Eva Vlaardingerbroek. The story aligns with historical actions by Apple and other tech companies in alerting users about spyware threats, such as WhatsApp's notification to Francesco Cancellato. However, the article lacks specific details about the spyware campaign or the precise methods Apple uses to detect such threats, which are crucial for full verification. While the claim that notifications were sent to users in 100 countries is supported by Pellegrino's article, it lacks direct confirmation from Apple, introducing a slight uncertainty.

Balance

The article presents a balanced view by including perspectives from both individuals who received the notifications. It provides context by mentioning similar actions taken by other tech companies like Google and WhatsApp. However, the article could benefit from including more viewpoints, such as those from cybersecurity experts or government officials, to provide a broader understanding of the implications of these spyware attacks and notifications.

Clarity

The article is clear and straightforward, effectively communicating the key points about the spyware notifications. The structure is logical, starting with the main event and providing background information on similar past actions. However, the article could improve clarity by providing more detailed explanations of technical terms, such as 'mercenary spyware,' for readers unfamiliar with cybersecurity jargon.

Source quality

The sources cited in the article, including the firsthand accounts of Ciro Pellegrino and Eva Vlaardingerbroek, are credible and directly involved in the events described. The article also references past actions by Apple and WhatsApp, which are well-documented. However, the lack of a direct comment from Apple or additional insights from cybersecurity experts slightly limits the depth of source quality.

Transparency

The article is transparent in disclosing the sources of its information, primarily relying on the public statements of the individuals involved. However, it lacks transparency in explaining the methodology of how Apple detects spyware threats, which is a critical component of the story. Additionally, the article does not disclose whether the author attempted to verify the claims independently or sought comments from other experts.