New Delhi: Apple has joined CERT-In to probe into allegations of attempts to hack the iPhones of some Opposition leaders. The controversy surfaced after some of the leaders who use Apple phones received warnings of “state-sponsored attacks” on their devices from Apple itself. The government investigation aims to determine if the Apple products can be trusted to protect the privacy of the consumers.
A notice has been sent to Apple seeking an explanation on the alert sent to political leaders, warning them of “state-sponsored attackers who are remotely trying to compromise” their iPhones, informed Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
Chandrasekhar feels that Apple should join the investigation. “Since the threat notifications have gone to 150 countries, it is important that Apple joins the investigation and explain honestly and transparently,” he added. Union IT Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, on the other hand, informed that an investigation has been started by the CERT-In and an Apple team has joined the investigation.
Several political leaders, mainly from the Opposition, including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, TMC’s Mahua Moitra and AAP’s Raghav Chadha, as well as a few journalists, claimed to have received a notification from Apple about “state-sponsored attackers” remotely trying to compromise their iPhones.
The CERT-In had identified certain vulnerabilities in iOS and issued a formal advisory on October 27, just ahead of Apple launching its new products.
