Apple and Google issue new wave of cyber threat alerts to users worldwide

Apple and Google have sent out a fresh round of cyber threat notifications to users across the globe, warning that some accounts may have been targeted by state backed hackers. The alerts, issued this week, mark the latest effort by the world’s two biggest tech firms to protect customers from increasingly sophisticated surveillance tools.

Both companies routinely notify users when their internal systems detect activity linked to government sponsored hacking attempts. This latest round appears to be one of the widest yet. Apple confirmed that warnings were sent on 2 December, though it offered no details on how many users were affected or who the suspected attackers might be. The company said only that, to date, it has notified users in more than 150 countries about potential spyware threats.

Google’s announcement came a day later, with the Alphabet owned firm revealing it had alerted all known users who were targeted with Intellexa spyware. The campaign affected several hundred accounts across a broad geographical range, including Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Angola, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia and Tajikistan. Intellexa is part of a growing industry of commercial spyware tools capable of infiltrating smartphones and extracting sensitive communications.

The notifications are meant to give at risk users a chance to secure their accounts, update devices and adopt additional safety measures. While Apple and Google do not normally disclose the identities of state actors behind these attacks, their warnings typically indicate that the threat is serious and highly targeted.

Cybersecurity analysts say the widespread alerts may prompt further investigations by national authorities, especially in countries where citizens, journalists or political figures are frequent targets of digital surveillance. They also note that the increased transparency from tech firms reflects rising concern about spyware being used beyond legitimate law enforcement purposes.

The growth of commercial hacking tools has intensified scrutiny on governments and private vendors alike. Many of these tools require little effort from attackers and can bypass the security systems built into modern smartphones. Once installed, spyware can monitor calls, access messages and track a user’s movements, making the threats particularly invasive.

With cyber intrusions becoming more frequent and more covert, both Apple and Google have stepped up their user protection programmes. Apple has introduced Lockdown Mode for high risk individuals, while Google’s Threat Analysis Group continues to track spyware operations globally. Their warnings, while unsettling, provide a crucial early signal for users who may not otherwise know they have been targeted.

As geopolitical tensions continue to spill into the digital realm, experts expect more rounds of alerts in the future. State backed groups are refining their methods, commercial espionage outfits are expanding their reach and the number of vulnerable individuals is growing.

For now the message from both tech giants is clear. Even the most secure devices can be targets, and vigilance remains essential.