23 Daily — The German government has issued a warning to politicians and public figures that they were targeted by government-backed spyware attacks, following Apple’s recent notifications to users that their iPhones may have been hacked. This development was reported by techcrunch.com on November 2, 2026.
Federal Cybersecurity Office Identifies Bundestag Members as Targets
Germany's Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) announced over the weekend that several members of the Bundestag, Germany’s parliament, as well as other unnamed notable individuals, have received warnings from Apple about possible cyberattacks on their devices. Berlin government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said that the government is taking the incident and the warning very seriously but did not specify exactly who was targeted, including whether Chancellor Friedrich Merz was among them.
Apple’s Warnings Span 99 Countries, Reflect Use of Zero-Click Exploits
Apple periodically issues threat notifications to users suspected of being targeted by spyware capable of stealing messages, location, and other sensitive information. The spyware typically leverages zero-click exploits that allow hacking without requiring the victim to click links or open files, making detection difficult. The identity of the actors behind these attacks remains unclear. Apple does not disclose the responsible governments or confirm actual device compromises. The recent batch of alerts reportedly reached users in 99 countries worldwide.
Outside Germany, Beirut-based filmmaker Radwan Mortada also received an alert indicating another attempted attack on his device, showing this is a widespread issue.
Spyware Trade Complex, Germany Previously Purchased Israeli Pegasus Software
This incident highlights the complex and opaque nature of spyware trade used against civil society members. Governments often purchase such tools from private vendors known as “mercenary spyware” providers, the most prominent being Israel's NSO Group, maker of the Pegasus spyware. The German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) reportedly acquired Pegasus access in 2019.
The use and procurement of these surveillance tools raise considerable privacy and freedom of expression concerns, especially given their secretive deployment.
Editor's take: Escalating Spyware Threats Necessitate Stronger Security Measures for Entrepreneurs
The targeting of high-ranking politicians and public figures demonstrates the growing sophistication of spyware attacks using zero-click vulnerabilities. Entrepreneurs dealing with sensitive information must prioritize device security, timely software updates, multi-factor authentication, and encrypted communication to mitigate risks.
Monitoring security alerts from providers like Apple and utilizing professional cybersecurity tools and services can enhance defenses. As surveillance technologies evolve, businesses need robust risk management strategies to safeguard their and their users’ sensitive data.