Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday expressed concern over threat notifications from iPhone maker Apple Inc. warning some Opposition members of a potential state-sponsored attack and said the government will investigate the matter.
He said IT major Apple has been directed to join the probe.
We are concerned by the statements we have seen in media from some MPs as well as others about a notification received by them from Apple. The notification received by them as per media reports mentions about state-sponsored attacks on their devices. However much of (1/5)
Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) October 31, 2023
We are concerned by the statements we have seen in media from some MPs as well as others about a notification received by them from Apple. The notification received by them as per media reports mentions about state-sponsored attacks on their devices. However much of information by Apple on this issue seems vague and non-specific in nature. Apple states these notifications maybe based on information which is incomplete or imperfect. It also states that some Apple threat notifications maybe false alarms or some attacks are not detected, the Indian Minister wrote on X.
information by Apple on this issue seems vague and non-specific in nature. Apple states these notifications maybe based on information which is incomplete or imperfect. It also states that some Apple threat notifications maybe false alarms or some attacks are not detected.(2/5)
Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) October 31, 2023
Apple has also claimed that Apple IDs are securely encrypted on devices, making it extremely difficult to access or identify them without the users explicit permission. This encryption safeguards the users Apple ID and ensures that it remains private and protected, he said.
Apple has also claimed that Apple IDs are securely encrypted on devices, making it extremely difficult to access or identify them without the users explicit permission. This encryption safeguards the users Apple ID and ensures that it remains private and protected.(3/5)
Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) October 31, 2023
Speaking on investigation, the Minister said: The Government of Bharat takes its role of protecting the privacy and security of all citizens very seriously and will investigate to get to the bottom of these notifications.
The Government of Bharat takes its role of protecting the privacy and security of all citizens very seriously and will investigate to get to the bottom of these notifications. (4/5)
Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) October 31, 2023
In light of such information and widespread speculation, we have also asked Apple to join the investigation with real, accurate information on the alleged state-sponsored attacks, he said.
In light of such information and widespread speculation, we have also asked Apple to join the investigation with real, accurate information on the alleged state sponsored attacks. (5/5)
Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) October 31, 2023
In a fresh political faceoff with the Centre, several opposition leaders including Congress Shashi Tharoor, Trinamool Congress Mahua Moitra, Shiv Senas Priyanka Chaturvedi claimed a state-sponsored hacking attempt citing a notification which they received on their Apple phones.
The notification read, ALERT: State-sponsored attackers may be targeting your iPhone…
Sharing a screenshot on X, Tharoor wrote, Received from an Apple ID, [email protected], which I have verified. Authenticity confirmed. Glad to keep underemployed officials busy at the expenses of taxpayers like me! Nothing more important to do?
Tharoor tagged the X profiles of the Prime Ministers Office, Congress, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and top leader Rahul Gandhi.
Moitra posted on X, Received text email from Apple warning me Govt trying to hack into my phone email. @HMOIndia- get a life. Adani PMO bullies – your fear makes me pity you. @priyankac19- you, I , 3 other INDIAns have got it so far.
