German lawmakers and ministers warned their iPhones were targeted by 'mercenary' spyware

Germany's cybersecurity agency, the BSI, has warned members of the Bundestag and the federal government that their iPhones may have been targeted by spyware, after Apple threat notifications began arriving on Oct. 29. Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger confirmed it on ARD on Sunday, saying Apple reported that "certain devices may have been compromised with so-called spyware."

According to the BSI letter seen by ARD, the alerts warned of an attack using "mercenary spyware." Apple's notices say a person was specifically targeted, but not whether the attack worked, so the BSI told recipients to assume their phones may be compromised, Euronews and heise report. Spyware of this kind can read encrypted messages and switch on the microphone and camera.

Officials have not said how many people got the alerts, who they are, or who is behind the attack.