July 20, 2025 — Global Security & Tech Desk
In a rare but significant security move, Apple has issued warnings to several Iranian iPhone users, alerting them that their devices may have been targeted by state-sponsored spyware attacks, according to reports from cybersecurity researchers monitoring the region.
The alerts, which appeared as push notifications and email warnings, were reportedly sent to journalists, human rights advocates, and civil society figures in Iran—many of whom operate in politically sensitive environments.
Spyware Threats Linked to State-Level Actors
According to independent researchers from groups such as Citizen Lab and Access Now, the attacks appear to involve high-end surveillance software capable of accessing messages, cameras, microphones, and encrypted apps without the user’s knowledge.
Though Apple has not disclosed the specific spyware used, analysts suspect tools similar to Pegasus, a controversial spyware suite previously linked to authoritarian regimes targeting dissidents.
“This is a textbook case of cyber surveillance targeting individuals who pose no threat other than telling the truth,” said a Middle East-based digital rights expert.
Apple’s Unusual Public Alert
Apple’s alert reportedly stated that the affected users were “being individually targeted by a mercenary spyware attack”, noting that the attack was likely backed by a nation-state actor. The company emphasized that such attacks are rare but highly sophisticated, and that the warning was issued based on internal threat intelligence and evidence of compromise.
This marks another instance in Apple’s recent efforts to publicly confront spyware threats, particularly those targeting civil society members around the world.
“Apple has systems that notify users when we believe they are being specifically targeted by mercenary spyware,” a company spokesperson told international media outlets.
“We strongly recommend affected users take urgent action to protect themselves.”
Iran’s Ongoing Digital Crackdown
The spyware alerts come amid increasing reports of digital surveillance in Iran, particularly after the government cracked down on protests, encrypted communications, and online journalism in recent years.
Human rights groups warn that advanced spyware tools are being used to monitor activists, journalists, and minority groups, often without legal oversight.
What Users Can Do
Cybersecurity experts are urging all iPhone users in high-risk regions to:
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Enable Lockdown Mode (a special iOS feature that restricts potential exploit pathways)
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Keep their devices updated with the latest iOS security patches
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Avoid opening suspicious links or downloading unverified apps
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Regularly review device analytics and battery usage for anomalies
A Broader Warning to Global Civil Society
This incident adds to the growing concerns over state-sponsored digital surveillance and highlights how mobile spyware is becoming a tool of repression worldwide.
Apple’s warning also serves as a reminder that no user is too small to be targeted—especially when political power, free speech, or social change is at stake.
“These attacks are not just about data theft—they’re about intimidation and control,” said a researcher at Amnesty International’s tech lab.
Apple’s direct warning to Iranian users is part of a larger global trend: tech giants are increasingly taking public stances to defend users against cyber oppression.
As digital freedom continues to be challenged around the world, especially in regions with restricted press and political unrest, these warnings may become more frequent—and more vital.
Stay vigilant. Your phone could be more than just a device—it could be a target.