Apple takes a special approach to spyware protection. Rather than directly managing cases of cyber espionage, the Cupertino company has set up a notification system and redirects victims to a specialized non-profit organization. A strategy which seems to be bearing fruit according to sector experts.
A sophisticated notification system to alert victims
For several years, Apple has developed an alert process called “threat notifications” to warn users targeted by government spyware. These notifications are sent via several channels:
- An alert visible at the top of the account.apple.com page
- An email sent to addresses associated with the Apple account
- An iMessage on the numbers linked to the account
The message is unequivocal: “Apple has detected that you are the target of a mercenary spyware attack that is attempting to remotely compromise the iPhone associated with your Apple account,” reads a recent notification shared by Access Now.
Close collaboration with cybersecurity experts
Rather than handling these cases internally, Apple routinely redirects victims to Access Now, a nonprofit organization that operates a helpline dedicated to members of civil society targeted by government spyware. This approach is praised by cybersecurity experts.
“These notifications were a game changer for spyware liability research,” says John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab. According to Access Now legal advisor Natalia Krapiva, their helpline has already received more than 4,300 tickets in 2024.
Concrete recommendations to protect yourself
Apple does not just warn, the company also offers concrete solutions:
- Regular updating of iOS and applications
- Activation of “Isolation Mode” (Lockdown Mode), a feature that has proven its effectiveness
- Using strong passwords and two-factor authentication
According to Apple spokesperson Nadine Haija, “there have been no reported cases of mercenary spyware on Apple devices using Isolation Mode.” A feature that experts strongly recommend activating for people at risk such as journalists, human rights defenders or dissidents.
If Apple’s strategy is generally praised, some experts like Eva Galperin of the Electronic Frontier Foundation believe that the firm could do more, in particular by publishing more detailed reports and taking more legal action. Actions that require considerable resources that NGOs do not have.
This collaborative approach between a large tech company and organizations specializing in digital rights protection demonstrates the importance of a coordinated response to the sophisticated threats posed by government spyware.
