Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of attempting to hack the iPhones of senior opposition politicians, triggering controversy and concerns about privacy and security.
Apple Alerts Politicians
Several opposition lawmakers shared screenshots on social media of notifications they received from Apple, stating that “Apple believes you are being targeted by state-sponsored attackers who are trying to remotely breach the iPhone linked to your Apple ID.” Concerns about possible privacy and cybersecurity breaches were aroused by this communication.
Gandhi’s Response
Rahul Gandhi responded defiantly during a press conference in New Delhi, asserting that “Hack us all you want, but we (the opposition) will not stop questioning you,” directed at Prime Minister Modi and his government. This accusation adds to the existing political tensions in India, where opposition parties have consistently criticized the government’s actions and policies.
Government Calls for Investigation
India’s Information Technology Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, expressed concern over the lawmakers’ statements and announced that the government had requested Apple to collaborate in its investigation. The government neither confirmed nor denied any involvement in the alleged hacking attempts.
Apple’s Statement
Apple clarified that it did not attribute the threat notifications to any specific state-sponsored attacker. The company acknowledged the evolving nature of state-sponsored attacks and the challenges in detecting them due to incomplete threat intelligence signals. This raises concerns about the accuracy of such notifications and the possibility of false alarms.
Pegasus Spyware Scandal
This controversy is reminiscent of the 2021 Pegasus spyware scandal, where the Indian government was accused of using Israeli-made Pegasus spyware to surveil journalists, activists, and politicians, including Rahul Gandhi. The government has not officially addressed questions about its involvement in the purchase of Pegasus spyware for surveillance.
