Multiple individuals across the globe, including journalists and political activists, were notified this week by Apple that their iPhones may have been targeted in sophisticated spyware campaigns.

Apple’s warning, which surfaced through both emails and iMessages, claimed “high confidence” that the recipients were subjected to a “mercenary spyware attack.” These alerts were delivered to people in over 100 countries, according to a message received by Italian journalist Ciro Pellegrino. He reported the incident in an article for Fanpage, stating that the message made it clear the attack wasn’t isolated.

“Did this really happen? Yes, it is not a joke,” Pellegrino wrote, confirming he had received an official alert from Apple on Tuesday. The notification warned that the spyware targeted individuals “because of who you are or what you do.”

Dutch political commentator Eva Vlaardingerbroek also shared her experience publicly, calling the attack an “attempt to intimidate me.” In a video posted to X (formerly Twitter), she revealed a screenshot of Apple’s alert, which warned that the spyware was likely part of a state-sponsored operation.

This is not Apple’s first action of its kind. In recent years, the tech giant has periodically alerted users about state-linked digital surveillance campaigns, often working with digital rights organizations such as Citizen Lab. Apple’s messaging includes instructions to reach out to nonprofit support groups specializing in digital forensics and user protection.

The nature and origin of the spyware used in these most recent attacks remain unknown. However, past investigations revealed that tools from companies like Israel’s Paragon Solutions were used to target journalists and NGOs. In February, a WhatsApp alert informed Fanpage editor Francesco Cancellato that his device had been compromised by Paragon’s spyware.

The pattern of targeting journalists, political figures, and humanitarian workers is alarming. Digital rights advocates are calling for more transparency and global oversight of these “mercenary” spyware tools, which are often sold to authoritarian regimes.

Read the full report at TechCrunch.