Apple alerts Turkish ministers to possible spyware intrusion, prompting security overhaul
Apple warned at least three Turkish ministers that their iPhones may have been targeted by spyware, leading the Presidency of Cyber Security to replace the devices and add safeguards.
Apple notified the smartphones of at least three Turkish ministers that they might have been subject to sophisticated spyware attacks, part of a global alert sent to users in 110 countries. The warning comes after earlier reports of Israeli-made Pegasus targeting senior Turkish officials in 2021. A Turkish official, who declined to name the ministers, said the attempts appear to have been unsuccessful because the devices employed enhanced security and encrypted applications.
In response, the newly formed Presidency of Cyber Security examined the phones, replaced them and introduced additional safeguards such as Apple’s Lockdown Mode. The incident underscores the routine nature of cyber-espionage against politicians, business leaders and others in the region, with potential perpetrators ranging from state actors to private interest groups. Experts note that updating iOS can erase evidence, making attribution difficult.
