Apple and Google Issue Warnings on State-Sponsored Cyber R

According to Reuters, Apple and Google sent a new round of cyber threat notifications to users worldwide on December 2 and 3 to warn them of espionage threats, aiming to protect against state-backed attacks. Apple sent notifications on December 2, while Google announced its notifications on December 3. These alerts indicate that targeted users may have faced attacks from state-sponsored hackers. Key points include: Apple and Google issued new cyber threat notifications globally to protect users from espionage threats; the alerts warn users of being targeted by state-backed hackers; Apple has notified users in over 150 countries so far; Google’s alerts target users of Intellexa spyware across hundreds of accounts in various countries. The notifications could lead to investigations into the misuse of spyware. Details of the cyber threats include targeting users with spyware, including Intellexa, a U.S.-sanctioned intelligence firm. Intellexa avoids restrictions and thrives. Previous alerts targeted senior European officials with spyware. Apple issued notifications on December 2 but provided few details about the hacking activity, the number of targeted users, or the perpetrators. Apple stated that it has notified users in over 150 countries in total. Affected countries include at least 80 nations, with total notifications exceeding 150. Google’s notifications include users in Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Angola, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, and Tajikistan. Quotes include Google stating that Intellexa 'avoids restrictions and thrives.' John Scott-Railton (a researcher at Citizen Lab) noted that 'the notifications impose costs on cyber spies by notifying victims,' often serving as 'the first step in a series of investigations and discoveries that could lead to real accountability for abuses of spyware.' Context on state-sponsored attacks includes that Apple and Google issue warnings about state-backed hackers, with Intellexa sanctioned by the U.S. and having targeted U.S. officials. Previous spyware attacks have targeted senior European officials.