In a startling development that raises alarms about digital privacy, Apple has issued an urgent warning to individuals worldwide, notifying them that they may have fallen victim to advanced government spyware attacks.

This week, reports emerged from two recipients of Apple's alerts, including Ciro Pellegrino, an Italian journalist affiliated with online news platform Fanpage. Pellegrino disclosed that he received both an email and a text message from Apple, confirming that he was targeted by spyware and informing him that many others were also affected.

The notification stated, 'Today’s message is being sent to affected users in 100 countries,' prompting Pellegrino to emphasize, 'Did this really happen? Yes, it’s not a joke!'

Another individual, Eva Vlaardingerbroek, a Dutch right-wing activist, shared her experience on social media, posting a screenshot of the alert that read, 'Apple detected a targeted mercenary spyware attack against your iPhone.' The message further explained that this attack was likely due to her identity and activities, adding, 'Please take this seriously.'

Reacting to the alarming news, Vlaardingerbroek expressed concerns about its intent: 'This is clearly an attempt to intimidate me, an attempt to silence me, obviously.'

The precise nature of the spyware campaign linked to these notifications remains unknown, but Apple has a history of alerting users about similar threats. Last year, they notified users in several countries regarding unspecified spyware attacks.

Apple has not yet commented on the recent alerts, nor has any further information been released regarding the perpetrating spyware.

Interestingly, Pellegrino is not the first Italian journalist to report such a notification; earlier this year, another journalist from Fanpage, Francesco Cancellato, was informed by WhatsApp that they had blocked a spyware campaign targeting his device.

In that instance, WhatsApp indicated that the malware was linked to Paragon Solutions, an Israeli firm selling surveillance technology to governments. This has prompted investigations from Citizen Lab, a respected organization that monitors spyware.

As scrutiny increases over the use of mercenary spyware by governments, Pellegrino’s experience echoes wider concerns regarding digital security and the rights of journalists and activists around the globe.

With the alarming rise of targeted attacks, users must remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their digital lives. Are you next?