Germany's digital minister confirms warning over spyware on lawmakers' iPhones

In brief

• German Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger confirmed a warning from the Federal Office for Information Security about possible spyware on iPhones used by lawmakers and government members.
• The warning is based on an Apple notification that certain devices may have been compromised with "Mercenary Spyware."
• It is unknown whether the attacks succeeded or whether any data was copied, and the affected politicians have not been named.

Warning follows Apple notification

The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) has warned members of the Bundestag and federal government that their Apple iPhones may have been targeted by spyware (BSI warnt: Mögliche Spähsoftware auf iPhones von Politikern – DER SPIEGEL) (Wildberger bestätigt ARD-Bericht zu Hackerangriff – tagesschau.de). Federal Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger (CDU) confirmed the warning in an interview with ARD's Berlin studio.

What Apple reported

Wildberger said the warning originated with Apple, which informed authorities that certain devices may have been compromised with spyware. According to Deutschlandfunk, the spyware is of a type known as "Mercenary Spyware," which is typically deployed against specific individuals (Mobiltelefone - BSI warnt mehrere Regierungsmitglieder und Abgeordnete vor Handy-Spionage – Deutschlandfunk). It is not known whether the intrusions succeeded or whether any data was copied.

BSI response

Wildberger said the BSI reacted "super quickly" and informed everyone affected in writing. The notices also explained what steps users should take now. The BSI advised the affected politicians to assume, as a precaution, that their devices could be infected.

What remains unclear

Wildberger did not name the affected devices or the specific attacks, saying anything further was speculation. Which politicians were targeted has not been made public. Wildberger also declined to confirm a link to any particular earlier incident.

Keypoints in brief

• The BSI has warned Bundestag members and federal government members about possible spyware on iPhones.
• Apple flagged that some devices may have been compromised with "Mercenary Spyware."
• Whether the attacks succeeded or data was copied is unknown.
• Affected politicians have not been named.