Various Indian Politicians tweeted about a warning received by Apple on their iPhone regarding a ‘State-Sponsored’ Attack by attackers to remotely compromise the iPhone privacy & security. Apple sends such warning to iPhone users in case of any suspicious activity by someone to spy the device. However, Apple Threat Message also mentions that such warnings can also be False.
Famous Opposition Politicians including Shashi Tharur, Raghav Chadha, Mahua Moitra, Akhilesh Yadav, Pawan Khera, Priyanka Chaturvedi, Asaduddin Owaisi shared the Threat Notification received by Apple this morning.
Senior Indian National Congress Leader Dr. Shashi Tharoor tweeted this morning regarding the threat warning received on his iPhone with an attached screenshot. However, this tweet is unavailable now because of unknown reasons. He also targeted the Central Government by writing “Glad to keep underemployed officials busy at the expense of Taxpayers like me!“.
Several Other Politicians also talked about the same on Twitter. AAP Leader Raghav Chadha targeted the Central Government through his tweet. He wrote:
Early this morning I received a concerning notification from Apple, warning me about a potential state-sponsored spyware attack on my phone. I use my smartphone to perform my parliamentary duties — engage with members of my constituency, address requests and provide assistance. I also use it to question the dictatorial practices of the Central Government. It is also an instrument used by me to communicate with my party colleagues, workers and volunteers for elections. I use it to coordinate my media appearances too. It is also a device I use to discuss legal strategies with lawyers in several of my ongoing litigations. Hence, not only my smartphone but the democratic interests of our country have come under attack. This notification is reminiscent of the Pegasus spyware scandal which also had targeted many voices that are critical of the BJP. Even in this attack, I am not the only opposition leader who has been attacked. Multiple voices of the opposition have been targeted.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra claimed that the Central Government is trying to hack her phone & e-mail and also mentioned the warning received by other members of the Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance on their iPhones.
Received text & email from Apple warning me Govt trying to hack into my phone & email. @HMOIndia – get a life. Adani & PMO bullies – your fear makes me pity you. @priyankac19 – you, I , & 3 other INDIAns have got it so far . pic.twitter.com/2dPgv14xC0
— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) October 31, 2023
Received an Apple Threat Notification last night that attackers may be targeting my phone
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) October 31, 2023
ḳhuub parda hai ki chilman se lage baiThe haiñ
saaf chhupte bhī nahīñ sāmne aate bhī nahīñ pic.twitter.com/u2PDYcqNj6
A journalist named Rohini Singh shared her opinion on Twitter regarding this controversy. She wrote “Citizens of India have no right to know who is funding political parties but the government wants to know who opposition leaders and journalists speak to, who they meet, what pictures they click from their phones, their email communications, who their friends are, details about their families. Snooping is ‘nationalism’ but accountability is anti national!”.
Citizens of India have no right to know who is funding political parties but the government wants to know who opposition leaders and journalists speak to, who they meet, what pictures they click from their phones, their email communications, who their friends are, details about…
— Rohini Singh (@rohini_sgh) October 31, 2023
आप विपक्ष में हैं?
— Rohini Singh (@rohini_sgh) October 31, 2023
आप कहाँ जाते हैं, आप किससे मिलते हैं, आप के दोस्त कौन हैं? आपके दुश्मन कौन हैं? आप क्या खाते हैं? आप क्या पहनते हैं? आप क्या ब्राउज़ करते हैं? आप किस किस को कॉल करते हैं? कॉल पर क्या बातें करते हैं?
ये सरकार जानना चाहती है।
देश में निजता का हक अब कागजी है।
An Active Twitter User (Ret. IAS) Surya Pratap Singh writes if this Spy related news is true then it’s a matter of great concern. He also mentioned the earlier news of hacking diligent individuals of Israel through Pegasus Software.
विपक्ष के चार नेताओं के Apple ID हैक करने/निशाना बनाने की खबर?
— Surya Pratap Singh IAS Rtd. (@suryapsingh_IAS) October 31, 2023
– @ShashiTharoor
–@MahuaMoitra
–@priyankac19
–@yadavakhilesh
यदि ये खबर सही है तो बहुत गंभीर विषय है।
ऐसे ही पूर्व में कई महत्वपूर्ण लोगों के फ़ोन, इज़राइली स्पाइवेयर Pegasus के माध्यम से, हैक होने की ख़बर आयी… https://t.co/R3KFIftBPv
Neither the Central Government nor the Apple has responded on this controversy yet. There are a lot of questions to get clarified.