Apple Issues Second Spyware Alert Wave in Eleven Weeks, Covering 99 Countries
Apple issued new threat notifications on October 30, 2026, warning targeted iPhone users in 99 countries about sophisticated mercenary spyware attacks. This is the second major wave in eleven weeks, following August’s alerts, and brings the total number of notified countries since 2021 to over 150. Apple confirmed the alerts are linked to new attacks, not a retrospective review. Recipients include journalists and documentary filmmakers. Apple did not name the attackers or specific spyware tools, citing security concerns. The company advises recipients to enable Lockdown Mode and contact Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline. The timing coincides with final negotiations on the Pall Mall Process, a voluntary framework for regulating commercial hacking tools.