Apple sent a new round of state-sponsored threat notifications to users it believes are targets of mercenary spyware, reaching targeted users in 99 countries and — to date — more than 150 countries in total. Recipients reported by researchers include journalists and documentary filmmakers. Apple framed the attacks as among "the most advanced digital threats in existence" and, as a matter of policy, declined to attribute a campaign to any specific attacker or region. The Citizen Lab's John Scott-Railton called it likely "an important set of notifications," cautioning that the absence of a notification does not rule out infection, and Access Now said the volume of notifications shows "the fight against the scourge of spyware abuse is far from over." Apple recommends Lockdown Mode and contact with Access Now for potential victims. The notifications land shortly before the Pall Mall Process approaches final negotiations on guidelines for commercial hacking tools.

• Source article