Germany Warns Bundestag Members of Possible iPhone Spyware Attacks
Germany warns Bundestag members and public figures that Apple threat alerts signal possible government-backed spyware attacks across 99 countries worldwide.
Summary
Germany warned on November 2, 2026, that government-backed spyware may have targeted iPhones belonging to Bundestag members and other unnamed public figures. The BSI federal cybersecurity office issued its notice over the weekend, days after Apple sent threat notifications across 99 countries. Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said Berlin was taking the incident seriously, but officials have not identified the targets or said whether Chancellor Friedrich Merz was among them.
Apple neither attributes such attacks to governments nor confirms that alerted devices were breached, so the BSI told recipients to assume possible compromise. Spyware can use zero-click exploits to steal messages, location data and other sensitive information almost invisibly. Beirut filmmaker Radwan Mortada received a warning about another attack after being targeted in 2021. The operator remains unknown. Governments often obtain mercenary spyware from private vendors, including Israel’s NSO Group, which makes Pegasus. Germany’s BKA federal law enforcement agency reportedly bought Pegasus access in 2019.
Positives
- Apple sent threat notifications to potentially targeted users across 99 countries.
- The BSI promptly warned Bundestag members and other public figures to treat alerted devices as potentially compromised.
- Stefan Kornelius said Berlin was taking the spyware incident and Apple’s warnings very seriously.
Risks & concerns
- Zero-click exploits can steal messages, location data and other sensitive information without requiring victims to open links or files.
- Apple’s alerts neither identify the responsible government nor confirm whether a targeted iPhone was successfully compromised.
- Radwan Mortada received another attack warning after previously being targeted with spyware in 2021.
- Germany’s BKA reportedly bought access to NSO Group’s controversial Pegasus spyware in 2019.
- Officials have not disclosed which federal figures were targeted or whether Chancellor Friedrich Merz received a warning.