Ducking hell: inside Apple’s hidden list of words the iPhone won’t suggest

Apple has issued an urgent warning to iPhone users across 99 countries, alerting them that sophisticated spyware may have targeted their devices. The alerts began on October 29, according to reports from TechCrunch and The Record. Apple has not disclosed the identity of the attackers or confirmed the number of devices compromised.

The warning was received by Lebanese filmmaker and journalist Radwan Mortada, who highlighted that his phone was previously targeted by Pegasus spyware in 2017 and 2021. Germany's Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) informed lawmakers and other high-profile individuals about the potential breach, recommending that recipients assume their devices may have been compromised.

Germany's government spokesman, Stefan Kornelius, stated that authorities were taking the warnings seriously and investigating the suspected attacks. The Financial Times reported that the suspected attacks employed a zero-click vulnerability, allowing hackers to access devices without any user interaction. While the attackers and the specific spyware involved remain unidentified, journalists have also been warned.

Apple describes mercenary spyware as highly sophisticated surveillance software designed to target individuals such as journalists, politicians, and activists. The company has issued similar warnings in the past, reaching users in over 150 countries. To check if their iPhone is affected, users can look for a notification on the Lock Screen or in Settings, or sign in to account.apple.com.

If an alert is received, users are advised to enable Lockdown Mode, update their devices, and seek assistance from the Digital Security Helpline operated by Access Now. Apple emphasizes that their notifications never request users to install software, open links, or share passwords or verification codes.