Apple has warned members of Germany’s Bundestag and federal government about possible attacks on their iPhones using spyware. German cybersecurity authorities have advised those potentially affected to assume that their devices may have been compromised.
This was reported by Bild.
Germany’s Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger confirmed reports of the cyberattack during ARD’s “Bericht aus Berlin” programme. According to him, Apple issued warnings indicating that certain devices may have been compromised by spyware.
According to a letter from Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), obtained by journalists from ARD and Bild, several iPhones have received threat notifications from Apple since October 29, 2026.
The company warned of attacks involving so-called Mercenary Spyware — commercial surveillance software designed to gain unauthorised access to smartphones.
According to Wildberger, the BSI responded promptly and notified everyone potentially affected in writing.
The agency advised them to take precautions on the assumption that their devices may have been compromised. However, Apple’s notifications do not establish whether the attackers actually succeeded in gaining access to the phones.
Apple itself describes such warnings as highly reliable indications that an individual has been targeted in a specific attack.
According to the BSI, spyware can be installed without any action by the user. It can allow attackers to read messages, including those sent through encrypted messaging apps, access calls, contacts and calendars, track a phone’s location, and secretly activate its microphone and camera.
The German agency said it currently has no detailed information about the specific circumstances or reasons behind the warnings. It remains unclear how many lawmakers and government officials may have been affected or who was behind the attack.
