Germany warns politicians of suspected zero-click iPhone spyware attacks
German authorities are investigating suspected mercenary spyware targeting lawmakers and officials after Apple issued threat notifications across 99 countries.
Germany's cybersecurity agency has advised lawmakers and federal officials to treat their iPhones as potentially compromised following a series of threat notifications from Apple. Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger confirmed that members of the Bundestag and federal officials received alerts warning of potential state-backed mercenary spyware attacks, with notifications beginning to arrive on October 29.[1][2][3][7]
The reported intrusions involve sophisticated zero-click exploits that require only a target's phone number rather than interaction with links or files. Once installed, such spyware can track user locations, read encrypted applications and messages, and secretly turn on phone microphones. In addition to German politicians, a filmmaker was also among those in Germany who received warnings from Apple.[2][4][7][8]
Authorities in Berlin confirmed on November 2 that they are urgently investigating the matter. While the attackers and specific spyware tools remain officially unidentified, security officials suspect a state actor deployed commercial spyware, according to reporting by the Financial Times. A spokesperson for Chancellor Friedrich Merz declined to state whether Merz himself was targeted.[2][7][9]
The German alerts were part of a broader wave of Apple threat notices that reached users across 99 countries, expanding the alert program's cumulative reach to more than 150 nations. Apple's notifications indicate potential targeting rather than verified infections.[5][6][7]
Key facts
- German Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger confirmed that Bundestag members and federal officials received Apple mercenary spyware alerts starting October 29.
- Germany's cybersecurity agency advised notification recipients to treat their iPhones as potentially compromised.
- The suspected zero-click attack required only the target's phone number without clicking any link or downloading a file.
- German lawmakers and a filmmaker were among those notified by Apple.
- German authorities launched an urgent investigation on November 2, though no specific attacker or spyware vendor has been named.
- A spokesperson for Chancellor Friedrich Merz declined to confirm whether Merz was targeted.
- Apple's latest batch of threat notifications covered users across 99 countries, bringing the system's global reach to more than 150 nations.
Sources · 9 sources
- CO
Cointelegraph@CointelegraphPost on X ·
🇩🇪 ALERT: Germany’s Digital Minister has confirmed that federal politicians’ iPhones were targeted by state-backed mercenary spyware.
Open source - MN
Mario Nawfal@MarioNawfalPost on X ·
🇩🇪 Germany is warning its lawmakers that their iPhones may have been hacked. It started on Thursday, when some lawmakers and officials got warnings from Apple, and now Germany’s cyber agency says anyone who got one should treat their phone as no longer secure. What makes it worse is that the hackers didn’t need a single click from their targets, just their phone numbers, and spyware like this can read encrypted messages, track locations and quietly switch on the microphone. As for who did it, nobody has named a culprit, but security officials believe a state is almost certainly behind it, using commercial spyware several governments have used before. And Germany has been here before, with Russian military intelligence behind the 2015 hack on its parliament, though nobody has been blamed this time. Even the chancellor’s spokesman won’t say whether Merz himself was targeted. So for now, nobody in Berlin is sure who to point fingers at or who else is listening. Source: Financial Times / Writer: Daniyal
Open source - DE
Decrypt@DecryptMediaPost on X ·
German Lawmakers and Ministers Get Apple Warnings of Possible iPhone Spyware Attacks. Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger confirmed Sunday that Bundestag members and federal officials have received Apple "mercenary spyware" alerts since October 29, with Germany's cyber agency advising them to assume their devices may be compromised.
Open source - TE
TechCrunch@TechCrunchPost on X ·
German lawmakers and a filmmaker are among the people who received notifications from Apple warning that their phones may have been hacked. https://t.co/3jucZQxAr4
Open source - 9T
9to5Mac@9to5macPost on X ·
Apple recently notified users in 99 countries of potential mercenary spyware attacks https://t.co/CQgfRh1wBj by @mvcmendes
Open source - DI
Digit@digitindiaPost on X ·
Your iPhone could be under spyware attack! Apple has warned users across 99 countries, and German politicians are among those targeted. https://t.co/iEGmDNrT0R
Open source - CB
Coin Bureau@coinbureauPost on X ·
🚨ALARMING: Germany is investigating suspected iPhone spyware attacks targeting lawmakers and government officials, per FT. The reported “zero-click” attack needed only a target’s PHONE NUMBER. No links, files or any action from the owner were required. Germany’s cybersecurity agency urged recipients of Apple’s alerts to treat their phones as potentially "compromised". Oct. 29: Alerts began reaching German users. Nov. 1: Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger confirmed the warning. Nov. 2: Authorities said they were urgently investigating. Apple’s latest alerts reached targeted users in 99 countries, bringing its overall reach to more than 150 countries. The attackers and spyware remain UNIDENTIFIED. The alerts indicate targeting, NOT confirmed infections.
Open source - BT
Bull Theory@BullTheoryioPost on X ·
BREAKING: 🇩🇪 Germany has warned its government officials that their iPhones may have been hacked or compromised with spyware. The attack could work by just knowing their phone number, with no need to click any link or file. Infected phones can be used as microphones to listen in on conversations, and can even read encrypted apps. Authorities are still trying to find out who is behind it.
Open source - *B
*Walter Bloomberg@DeItaonePost on X ·
GERMANY WARNS POLITICIANS THEIR IPHONES MAY BE HACKED: FT
Open source