Apple and Google have issued new cyber threat alerts to users across multiple countries, warning that state-backed hackers may be trying to compromise their devices. The companies sent the latest round of notifications this week as part of their ongoing effort to shield customers from advanced surveillance tools.
Apple confirmed that the warnings went out on December 2 and said that users in more than 150 countries have now received alerts. However, the company did not say how many people were affected or identify the groups believed to be behind the attempted attacks.
Google released its own notice a day later and revealed that the targets included several hundred users spread across countries such as Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Angola, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia and Tajikistan. The company said the activity was linked to Intellexa, a cyber-intelligence vendor that is under U.S. sanctions and continues to operate despite restrictions.
Both companies frequently warn users when they detect activity that resembles state-backed hacking attempts. Each new wave of alerts often generates public concern and leads to fresh scrutiny of commercial spyware markets. Google said the latest findings show that Intellexa’s tools remain active in spite of regulatory pressure. Intellexa executives did not respond to requests for comment.
Previous alerts from Apple and Google have sparked investigations by government agencies, including the European Union, whose officials have been targeted in the past. Citizen Lab researcher John Scott-Railton said these warnings help potential victims act quickly.
