Google and Apple have released new global cyber threat notifications, alerting users across dozens of countries to potential targeting by state-linked hackers. The latest warnings reflect growing concerns about government-backed surveillance operations and the expanding commercial spyware marketplace.
Both companies confirmed that the alerts were sent this week as part of their ongoing efforts to protect users from digital espionage. The warnings are tied to commercial surveillance firms, including Intellexa, which has been repeatedly linked to high-end spyware deployments around the globe.
Apple Sends Warning Across More than 80 Countries
Apple stated that its newest set of threat notifications was dispatched on December 2, though the company declined to identify the number of affected users or the specific actors involved. These warnings are triggered when technical evidence indicates that individuals are being deliberately targeted by advanced hacking techniques believed to be connected to state agencies or their contractors.
While Apple did not specify locations for this week’s alerts, it confirmed that, since the initiative began, users in more than 150 countries have received similar warnings. This aligns with the company’s broader strategy of alerting customers when activity consistent with state-directed surveillance operations is detected.
Google Reports Intellexa Spyware Targeting Several Hundred Accounts
Google also announced that it had notified “several hundred accounts” identified as being targeted by spyware developed by Intellexa, a surveillance vendor sanctioned by the United States. According to Google’s threat intelligence team, the attempted compromises spanned a wide geographic range. Users in Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Angola, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, and Tajikistan were among those affected.
Also read: Sanctioned Spyware Vendor Used iOS Zero-Day Exploit Chain Against Egyptian Targets
The tech giant stated that Intellexa has continued to operate and adapt its tools despite U.S. sanctions. Executives associated with the company did not respond to inquiries about the allegations. Google also noted that this round of alerts covered people in more than 80 countries, stressing the nature of the attempted intrusions by state-linked hackers.
Rising Scrutiny of Commercial Spyware
The latest notifications from Google and Apple are part of a bigger concern surrounding the global spyware industry. Both companies have repeatedly warned that commercial surveillance tools, particularly those sold to government clients, are becoming increasingly common in targeting journalists, activists, political figures, and other high-risk individuals.
Previous disclosures from Apple and Google have already prompted official scrutiny. The European Union has launched investigations in past cases, especially after reports that senior EU officials were targeted with similar spyware technologies.
These inquiries often expand into broader examinations of cross-border surveillance practices and the companies that supply such tools.
Also read: Leaked Files Expose Intellexa’s Remote Access to Customer Systems and Live Surveillance Ops
Tech Firms Decline to Name Specific Attackers
Despite the breadth of the new alerts, neither Google nor Apple offered details about the identities of the actors behind the latest attempts. Apple also declined to describe the nature of the malicious activity detected. Both companies stress that withholding technical specifics is common when dealing with state-linked hackers, as revealing investigative methods could interfere with ongoing monitoring operations.
Although the exact attackers remain unnamed, the alerts demonstrate a global distribution of spyware activity. Google’s identification of affected users across multiple continents, along with Apple’s acknowledgment of notifications issued in over 150 countries over time, shows that the threat posed by government-aligned surveillance groups continues to expand.
