November 1, 2023 at 01:09AM
Apple has reportedly warned Indian politicians that their accounts may be targeted by state-sponsored attackers. The recipients of the warnings are members of opposition parties. One politician, Mahua Moitra, accused India’s Ministry of Home Affairs and Adani conglomerate of being behind the attack. India’s government has faced allegations of using spyware in the past. The source of the attacks is unknown, but it could be India’s government or other countries like Pakistan, China, or Russia. Apple has not disclosed any details about the incidents. Critics have expressed concern about India’s government suppressing dissenting voices.
Based on the meeting notes, the key points are as follows:
– Apple has sent warnings to Indian politicians, informing them that their accounts may be under attack by state-sponsored actors.
– The politicians who received the warnings are members of opposition parties in India.
– MP Mahua Moitra shared a screenshot of the email she received, which indicated that Apple believes she is being targeted by state-sponsored attackers.
– Mahua’s post on social media accuses the Indian government of being the state actor behind the attack.
– It has been previously reported that phone numbers of Indian journalists and politicians were found on lists targeted by the NSO Group’s spyware.
– India’s opposition has made allegations against the government regarding the use of spyware.
– India’s tech minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has challenged Apple’s actions, stating that the information provided by Apple seems vague and non-specific.
– Apple’s page describing its state-sponsored threat alerts acknowledges that the notifications could be based on incomplete or imperfect information.
– There is no evidence to suggest that India’s government attacked its own, but concerns have been raised about the government’s intolerance of dissenting voices.
– Other states, including Pakistan, China, and Russia, could also be possible sources of the attack.
It is important to note that Apple has not disclosed the source of the incidents that prompted the warnings, citing the need to avoid helping state-sponsored attackers evade detection in the future.