Apple warns Indian opposition of possible government phone hacking before election

Apple sent vague "State-sponsored attackers may be targeting your iPhone" alerts to over a dozen Indian opposition politicians, journalists, and critics of PM Narendra Modi's government, prompting accusations of surveillance.

The Indian government dismissed allegations of spying on opponents, calling the Apple alerts "vague" and a "distraction", but opponents said it fits a pattern of silencing dissent.

Apple confirmed it sent the alerts but said they could be false alarms, as the intelligence is often "imperfect and incomplete".

The alerts may relate to reported infections in India by Pegasus spyware, developed by Israeli cyberfirm NSO, which the Indian government allegedly acquired in 2017.

The alerts come months before India's national election, raising concerns that surveillance could help the governing party gain an upper hand over rivals.